Journal article
Heathland vegetation of the Spirits Bay area, far northern New Zealand
New Zealand Journal of Ecology, Vol.12, pp.63-75
1989
Abstract
The heath land vegetation of northern New Zealand is usually regarded as a "derived" vegetation type resulting from forest destruction during the Maori and European periods of settlement. Plant species coverabundance data from sample quadrats in the Far North are analysed using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Two-way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) and are then correlated with soil nutrient data. Variations in species composition of heaths appear to be related primarily to soil type. Age since last fire is also important. Heaths on volcanic soils were commonly dominated by Kunzea ericoides and follow a succession to forest in the absence of recurrent fire. Heaths on podzolised earths and sands were characterised by low nutrient status and dominance of Leptospermum scoparium and a number of cyperaceous species. Slow growth rates, probably due to nutrient limitation and seasonal water logging of soils, in combination with occasional fires are likely to maintain a heathland vegetation type.
Details
- Title
- Heathland vegetation of the Spirits Bay area, far northern New Zealand
- Authors/Creators
- N.J. Enright (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- New Zealand Journal of Ecology, Vol.12, pp.63-75
- Publisher
- New Zealand Ecological Society
- Identifiers
- 991005540223907891
- Copyright
- © New Zealand Ecological Society
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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