Northland temperate kauri forests
Northland temperate kauri forests Marokopa Falls, New Zealand Photograph by Graham John
Introduction Covering the northern portion of New Zealand's North Island, Northland temperate kauri forest was once all warm-temperate forest, dominated by the gigantic kauri (Agathis australis). A highly endemic and rich (Northland temperate kauri forests) flora supported a suite of forest animals, including two endemic bats and a variety of native birds. European settlement resulted in large-scale kauri harvesting and the conversion of wetlands for farming and livestock grazing. Today kauri forests are largely protected and coastal wetlands and peat bogs further contribute to the region's biodiversity, harboring large populations of seabirds as well as threatened plants and birds. Offshore islands serve as refuges from introduced predators, protecting native reptiles and birds.
Location and General Description
Waipoua Kauri Forest, North Island. (Photograph by Susanne Peck) This ecoregion comprises the northern half of New Zealand's North Island, the warmest portion of New Zealand. The Northland temperate kauri forests ecoregion comprises two botanical provinces, Northland province in the north and Auckland province in the south. The hilly Northland province has a variety of substrates, ranging widely in age and composition. Volcanic offshore islands and ultramafic outcrops are known for their plant endemism. Further south, topography transitions to steeply rolling country near Auckland, and then into the gentle hills of the Waikato Basin.
Vegetation throughout the ecoregion was once predominately warm-temperate forest, dominated by kauri trees. Kauri forests occur only in New Zealand's Northland region and the Coromandel Peninsula. They thrive in warm, humid areas, and their current range reaches no further south than 38°S. Rainfall averages from 1,000 millimeters (mm) to 2,500 mm per year. Kauri trees grow on a variety of substrates, from volcanic soils to sandstone, however, they tend to dominate on ridge tops and areas with infertile soils, giving way to broadleaf forests in the more fertile valleys. Kauris podolize the soil, and shed bark, creating a layer of mor humus on the forest floor that can be up to three feet thick. Kauri forests used to cover most of the Northland, but today only isolated stands remain. The largest extant stands are in the Waipoua State Forest near Auckland.
WWF
Kauri trees can grow in monotypic stands, but they also occur in mixed forests. Both forest types are classed as kauri forest, due to the prominence of these enormous trees. The common broadleaf tree species in mixed kauri forest include: tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides), towai (Weinmannia silvicola), kanuka (Kunzea ericoides), rewarewa (Knightia excelsa), and hinau (Elaeocarpus dentatus). The common podocarps are: rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum), thin-barked totara (Podocarpus hallii), miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea), and kohekoe (Dysoxylum spectabile). Mature kauri trees form an emergent layer over the broadleaf-podocarp canopy. The understory of kauri forests is fairly open as the kauri trees block light from reaching the forest floor. The silvery tree fern (Cyathea dealbata) is common in the understory, as is kauri grass (Astelia trinervia), and several other grass species.
Only 8 percent of the original wetlands habitat of New Zealand remain, but a large portion are concentrated in this ecoregion. Wetlands are common near the coast, with abundant swamps and lakes, as well as interdune lakes along the west coast. Sites with impeded drainage are often species-rich, and dominated by [[fern]s] and sedges. An important peat community is found at the Kopuatai peat dome, and kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydiodes) swamp forest once occupied a large portion of Whangamarino swamp, before being overcome by flooding and peat growth. Locally threatened or regionally endemic plants include Hydatella inconspicua, Lycopodium serpentium, Thelypeteris confluens, and Cryptostylis subulatus.
Biodiversity Features
This ecoregion contains more than 620 vascular species, with approximately 60 taxa endemic to this ecoregion. Plant endemism is highest in the northern Northland province, partially as a result of the varied substrates found here and also as a result of fluctuating sea levels, which have at times cut off and isolated some regions, such as Te Paki, from the rest of the North Island. Ultramafic outcrops in this northern region are local centers of endemism, with approximately 12 endemic taxa. Offshore islands, including the Three Kings Islands and the Poor Knights Islands also contain high numbers of endemic and threatened species. Located 56 kilometers (km) northwest of Cape Reigna, the Three Kings Islands harbor the monotypic Elingamita genus, and rare plants such as Pennantia baylisiana and Tecomanthe speciosa. A number of warm-temperate plants reach their southern limits in this ecoregion, including kauri and mangrove (Avicennia resinifera), while southern plants thrive only on summit vegetation.
The kauri is a New Zealand endemic found only in this ecoregion. It can live for 2,000 years, growing to more than 40 meters (m) tall with a girth of more than 13 m. Mature trees have smooth cylindrical trunks with no branches on the lower half and often first branches are 20 m off the ground. Despite the immense size of kauri trees, they have a comparatively shallow, exposed rooting system which makes them vulnerable to windthrow. There are additional endemic plants in kauri forests, such as taraire (Beilschmiedia tarairi).
Kauri forests provide important habitat for a variety of native taxa. The nocturnal North Island kiwi (Apteryx australis mantelli) can be found in these forests, and New Zealand's forest birds were once abundant. Today, bird populations have declined precipitously, due to predation by introduced cats (Felis silvestris), rats (Rattus exulans, R. norvegicus, R. rattus), stoats (Mustela erminea), ferrets (M. furo), weasels (M. nivalis), and brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). Nevertheless, the endangered North Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea) persists in the Waipoua forest, and fantails (Rhipidura fuliginosa), North Island robins (Petroica australis longipes), whitehead (Mohoua albicilla), tuis (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), and kereru, or New Zealand wood-pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) are all present. New Zealand snipe (Coenocorypha aucklandica) were once widespread on the North Island, but had largely declined by Polynesian settlement, persisting only on Little Barrier Island until the 1870s. Endemic invertebrates can also be found in the forests, most notably the large, carnivorous kauri snails (Paryphanta spp.). Flax snails (Placostylus spp.) are restricted to coastal forests in Northland. The only native mammals in New Zealand are two species of bats, both of which are found in this ecoregion: the New Zealand long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) and the lesser short-tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata VU). Two primitive species of frog are endemic to this ecoregion, Hochstetter's frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri) and Archey's frog (L. archeyi), which both utilize moist forest litter.
Wetland habitats harbor a number of rare and endangered plant species, in addition to providing valuable habitat for aquatic birds. The greater jointed rush (Sporadanthus traversii) is regarded as nationally threatened. Wrybills (Anarhynchus frontalis) winter in this ecoregion in large tidal harbors but are otherwise resident on the South Island while New Zealand dabchicks (Poliocephalus rufopectus VU) are normally found on coastal lakes. The Firth of Thames, one of New Zealand's most important coastal habitats, is located in this ecoregion. Up to 74 shorebird species have been sighted here, with a peak of 40,000 migratory birds utilizing the Firth at one time, including the New Zealand dotterel (Charadrius obscurus VU) and more than half of New Zealand's wrybill population.
Offshore islands also harbor a number of endemic and globally threatened species, some of which have been relocated from the mainland to protect them from rats, cats, and other introduced animals. The endangered takahe (Porphyrio mantelli), little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii VU), stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta VU), critically endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), and saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) have all been released on offshore islands. Other species found on these islands include tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), Duvaucel's gecko (Hoplodactylus duvauceli), chevron skink (Leiopisma homalotum). The 1.3 square kilometers (km2) Middle Island in the Mercury Group is known for its lizard diversity, with ten species present, as well as some notable invertebrates – the centipede Cormocephalus rubriceps and tusked wetas. A number of ecoregional endemics are largely restricted to offshore islands, including Whitaker's skink (Cyclodina whitakeri), the robust skink (C. alani), Macgregor's New Zealand skink (C. macgregori), Oliver's New Zealand skink (C. oliveri), and the moco ground skink (Oligosoma moco). The Three Kings Skink (Oligosoma fallai) occurs only the Three Kings Islands.
Current Status
Kauri forest once covered approximately 12,000 km2 in the Northland. Today, only 800 km2 remain. With its rich soils, long [[coast]line], and abundant fishing this ecoregion was heavily utilized by Maori. European settlement introduced new threats, and logging, resin collection, and brush fires severely degraded native kauri vegetation. There are currently patches of mature kauri forest scattered across the Northland and the Coromandel Peninsula. All of the remaining kauri forests on Crown lands are now under the protection of the Department of Conservation, and most of the kauri on private land are also protected. The largest tracts of kauri forest can be found in the Waipoua Forest Sanctuary and the Waipoua Kauri Management and Research Area; together these reserves protect a continuous block of approximately 130 km2 on the west coast of Northland. The Trounson Kauri Park also contains mature kauri forest. There are also three Ramsar sites in this ecoregion: Whangamarino, Kopuatai Peat Dome, and the Firth of Thames. Wetlands throughout New Zealand were drained and converted to farmland or livestock grazing. Kahikatea swamp forest communities have especially been reduced.
Types and Severity of Threats
Past threats to kauri forest are largely mitigated: logging and gum-tapping have both ceased, and controlled burning regimes have reduced the range and intensity of brushfires. Today, the biggest threats to the kauri forests are natural senescence and browsing by brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). The extant kauri forests are well protected, although browsing by deer and possums is still a problem, and efforts to regenerate kauri forests are largely successful. The avifauna of the kauri forests is less secure, and still suffers from predation by introduced mammals. Kiwis are especially vulnerable to roadkill and dogs. The Department of Conservation needs to continue its predator control efforts and guard against brushfires to effectively conserve kauri forest communities.
Offshore islands are still vulnerable to introduced predators, and wetlands are at risk from hydrological control and contaminated runoff. Alien plant species are problematic throughout New Zealand, but especially in the warmer climate of the Northland region. Nearly all weeds have spread from gardens or farms. The main weed species being targeted in Northland are wild ginger (Hedychium garderianum), cord grass (Spartina alterniflora), mistflower (Ageratina riparia), and wandering Jew (Tradescantia fluminensis).
Justification of Ecoregion Delineation
The Northland temperate kauri forests ecoregion contains the 'Northland' Centre of Plant Diversity. This ecoregion is a combination of Wardle's 'Northland' and 'Auckland' botanical provinces. Vegetation was originally nearly all warm-temperate forest, and many warm-temperate species reach their southern limits in this ecoregion.
Additional Information on this Ecoregion
- For a shorter summary of this entry, see the WWF WildWorld profile of this ecoregion.
- To see the species that live in this ecoregion, including images and threat levels, see the WWF Wildfinder description of this ecoregion.
- World Wildlife Fund Homepage
Further Reading
- Burns, B.R. and J.R. Leathwick. 1996. Vegetation-environment relationships at Waipoua Forest, Northland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 34(1): 79-92.
- Burns, B.R. and M.C. Smale. 1990. Changes in structure and composition over fifteen years in a secondary kauri (Agathis australis) and tanekaha (Phyllocladus trichomanoides) forest stand, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany 28(2): 141-158.
- Fleet, H. 1986. The concise natural history of New Zealand. Heineman Publishers, Singapore. ISBN: 0868631361
- Frazier, S. editor. 1999. A Directory of Wetlands of International Importance. Wetlands International and Ramsar Convention Bureau. Viewed September 17, 2001.
- Given, D. 1995. Northland. Pages 507 - 509 in S. D. Davis, V. H. Heywood and A. C. Hamilton. editors. Centres of Plant Diversity. Volume 2. Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific. WWF/IUCN, IUCN Publications Unit, Cambridge, UK. ISBN: 2831701988
- Heather, B. D. and H. A. Robertson. 1997. The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom. ISBN: 0143020404
- Hilton-Taylor, C. 2000. The IUCN 2000 Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, United Kingdom. ISBN: 2831705657
- Molloy, L. 1994. Wild New Zealand. New Zealand Department of Conservation/MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. ISBN: 0262133040
- New Zealand Department of Conservation. undated. Northland Conservancy. Viewed on September 20, 2001.
- Payton, I. J., L. Forester, C. M. Frampton, and M. D. Thomas. 1997. Response of selected tree species to culling of introduced Australian brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula at Waipoua Forest, Northland, New Zealand. Biological-Conservation 81(3): 247-255.
- Pickards, C. R. and D. R. Towns. 1988. Atlas of the Amphibians and Reptiles of New Zealand. Conservation Sciences Publication, Number 1. Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand. ISBN: 0478010419
- Stattersfield, A. J., M. J. Crosby, A. J. Long, and D. C. Wedge. 1998. Endemic Bird Areas of the World. Priorities for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife International, Cambridge, United Kingdom. ISBN: 0946888337
- Wardle, P. 1991. Vegetation of New Zealand. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom. ISBN: 193066558X
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1 Comment
alisha lopej wrote: 11-09-2010 19:20:32
Waipoua forest preserves some of the best remaining examples of kauri forest in New Zealand. It is notable that two of the largest trees living kauri, Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere. Located in the North land region and is associated with neighboring countries and Forestry Matarau Waimea. The sanctuary was established in 1952. Has the largest population of North Island brown kiwi in Northland. http://www.travelaustralia360.com/its-hot-its-oomph-it-sizzles-hot-water-beach-coromandel-peninsula-new-zealand.html