New Zealand Journal of Botany abstract
Modern pollen-vegetation relationships in Northland, New Zealand
M. B. ELLIOT*
Soil Science
Institute of Natural Resources
Massey University
Private Bag 11-222
Palmerston North, New Zealand
*Present address: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
Research Ltd, P.O. Box 14-901, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand.
Abstract The pollen and spores from surface samples
consisting of moss polsters and soils collected from 15 sites in Northland and
Rangitoto Island were analysed. Sample sites were chosen to be representative
of differing plant communities in the Northland region. Major plant communities
could be distinguished by their characteristic pollen spectra but minor
associations were difficult to distinguish. Gymnosperms (anemophilous) are
generally proportionately or over-represented compared with zoophilous taxa. A
notable exception to this is Agathis australis which is typically
grossly under-represented. Angiosperm elements of Northland forests are
generally very poorly represented, the exception being Metrosideros spp.
which are either well or over-represented. In contrast to reports from other
parts of New Zealand, moderate to high values (>5%) of Nothofagus
subgenus Fuscospora pollen in Northland spectra suggest local presence.
Poaceae pollen records only low frequencies in forest spectra, but dominates
grassland sites. Bracken (Pteridium esculentum) spores record low
frequencies at most sites but are well represented where bracken is present on
forest margins, or in surrounding open grassland/scrub.
Keywords pollen analysis; modern pollen rain; surface
samples; vegetation analysis; communities; Northland
B98023
Received 16 April 1998; accepted 28 July 1998
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