New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts
The vegetation of The Snares, islands south of New Zealand, mapped
and discussed
Cameron H. Hay
Otago Polytechnic
Private Bag 1910
Dunedin, New Zealand
John Warham*
Brian A. Fineran
School of Biological Sciences
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand
*Author for correspondence
Abstract A map of the main vegetation communities
on The Snares, southern New Zealand, is presented based on
stereo-aerial photographs taken by the RNZAF followed by ground checks
during the University of Canterbury’s summer expedition, 1969/70. The
physiognomic dominant species are the daisy trees Olearia lyallii
and Brachyglottis stewartiae, the coastal shrub Hebe
elliptica, the maritime grasses Poa astonii and P.
tennantiana, and the megaherb Stilbocarpa robusta. Other
indigenous vascular plants present include: four ferns, six
dicotyledons, and five monocotyledons. Poa annua and Stellaria
media are the only adventives which are local. Olearia
forest is the principal community, covering some 52% of Main Island and
about 18% of Broughton Island. Maritime tussock grassland covers 27% of
Main Island and 41% of Broughton. Locations of the uncommon large
aniseed Anisotome acutifolia are highlighted. Data on climate,
some vegetation changes, and the effects of seabirds on the plant
communities are given.
Keywords The Snares; New Zealand; vegetation map;
vegetation changes; cool temperate islands; Olearia lyallii; Brachyglottis
stewartiae; Poa astonii; P. tennantiana; Anisotome
acutifolia; Stilbocarpa robusta; Hebe elliptica
B03055; Received 10 December 2003; accepted 30 June 2004; Online
publication date 9 December 2004
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2004, Vol. 42: 861–872
0028–825X/04/4205–0861 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004
PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality
(6121K) | screen-quality (2924K)
This year's abstracts |
Journal home page |
All abstracts |
Publishing home page
