Unión Europea

To ensure successful restoration of kānuka habitats, it is suggested that further insight into important interactions and effects of abiotic and biotic components of the community are gained. In summary, and as discussed in relevant sections above, this includes:

 The high soil aluminium concentrations in the Eyrewell Forest area, the low soil pH and the potential implications to plants within the acidic environment merits further discussion and study. Aluminium can be highly phytotoxic to some species whereas others have developed mechanisms to tolerate or exclude it from cells. Responses of the main community associates, such as K. serotina, L. juniperina and P. amoena, in addition to the most frequent exotic species such as Anthoxanthum odoratum, Hypochaeris radicata and Hieracium pilosella, would provide a worthwhile further study. Investigation into habitat partitioning with regard to soil aluminium could have useful implications for management of remnant areas and control of exotic weed species (Andersen et al. 2010)

 Exploration of seed germination and propagation techniques for a wider range of species naturally found in those habitats which are difficult to grow, to ensure full diversity is restored in the habitats;

 More detailed investigation of the Interaction of moss layer with germination, establishment and growth of native and exotic flora and fauna to determine facilitating and preventative effects. This should include investigation of potential allelopathic effects of H. cupressiforme and other mosses in the kānuka shrubland communities, across trophic levels, found in the kānuka stands;

 Further trials on plant survivorship and growth within planted reserves investigating alternatives to tree guards are required. Different cost-effective methods including fencing, chemical herbivore repellents, and irrigation trials need to be explored; and

 Implementation and mitigation and a number of mitigation strategies for lowering the spillover and runoff of nutrients from intensive agriculture into neighbouring habitats.

8.5.1

Conclusion

The overarching aim of the studies was:

 to understand and assist the design of successful dryland kānuka shrubland restoration into an intensively farmed landscape matrix on the Canterbury Plains.

The present work has provided valuable insights into the ecology of the dryland kānuka shrubland ecosystems and options for ecological restoration. Ecological restoration presented challenges associated with hot, dry summers, stony nutrient poor soils, fertiliser spillover and invasive weeds. One of the main findings is of the importance of moss carpets in the structure and function of dryland kānuka stands. The inclusion in restoration may be critical for establishing and sustaining ecosystem structure, functionality and resilience.

Studies reported in this thesis have informed the practical restoration of Te Whenua Hou, culminating in a more accessible and readable contractual document for the sponsors of the work (Appendix C). The research presented in this thesis outlines the importance of moss inclusion in ecological restoration but also highlights challenges for traditional and future restoration practitioners. This work can be used as a template for similar schemes aiming to restore large areas. The process of thoroughly investigating the remnant and target habitats, formulating restoration goals, implementing and testing restoration technology and monitoring results has contributed to existing scientific knowledge of relevance to ecological restoration.

At the time of writing, planting and experimental restoration work has been established in 11 of the 18 reserves beginning with a minimal 5 m buffer zones planted with kānuka. The current field work took place in 4 of these restoration areas. Novel approaches are constantly being investigated, including land owners trialling direct seeding with treated mānuka seeds sown from a helicopter over large areas. In addition, the scheme is in the process of re-introducing thousands of the emblematic New Zealand tree, totara (Podocarpus totara). This represents substantial biodiversity and social gain due to the species spiritual importance to Māori, and the timber used for canoes, carving and building. Furthermore, the wider project is assessing the benefit of the scheme to native birds, invertebrates and lizards for which the restoration will provide a habitat resource Restoration of areas within the Te Whenua Hou footprint is ongoing and future work will incorporate all findings from the studies presented here and build on this knowledge base.

Appendix A

Plant Species and Abbreviations

List of frequently used plant names and abbreviations used within the thesis.

Scientific Name Family Abbreviated

Name

English and Māori Names

Carex goyenii

Petrie (1882)

Cyperaceae C. goyenii Goyens sedge

Carmichaelia australis

R. Br (1825)

Fabaceae C. australis Common broom,

mākaka, maukoro, tainoka, tawao

Leptecophylla juniperina

(J.R Forst. & G Forst) C. M Weiller

(1999)

Ericaceae L. juniperina Prickly mingimingi, tauhinu, prickly heath,

Leptosperma scoparium

J.R Forst. & G Forst (1776)

Myrtaceae L. scoparium Mānuka, kāhikatoa, red tea tree

Hypnum cupressiforme

Hedw. (1801)

Hypnaceae H. cupressiforme Cypress-leaved

plaitmoss, hypnum moss

Ozothamnus leptophyllus

(G.Forst.) Breitw. & J.M.Ward (1997)

Compositae O. leptophyllus Cottonwood, tauhinu, tauhinu koromiko, tauhinu korokio

Pomaderris amoena

Colenso (1886)

Rhamnaceae P. amoena Tauhinu, toehinu,

whititiri

Kunzea robusta

De Lange & Toelken (2014)

Myrtaceae K. robusta Kānuka, white tea tree

Kunzea serotina

De Lange & Toelken (2014)

Myrtaceae K. serotina Kānuka, white tea tree

List of frequently used abbreviations within thesis:

Aluminium Al or Al3+ _{Biological Soil Crust (see section 2.3.3) BSC}

Ammonium NH4+ Department for Conservation DOC

Carbon C Eyrewell Scientific Reserve (see section

3.2)

ESR

Calcium Ca Spencer-Bower Reserve (see section 3.2) SBR

Copper Cu Total Organic Carbon TOC

Iron Fe

Potassium K

Magnesium Mg Nitrogen N

Manganese Mn Phosphorus P

Appendix B

Supplementary Information for Chapter 3

In document El conflicto en el Ártico : ¿hacia un tratado internacional? (página 51-55)