|
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Vegetation
The Pre-European vegetation was mixed broadleaf-podocarp
forest with tawa forming the main canopy through which
emerged rimu, k ahikatea and possibly Northern rata. However,
milling operations within the gorge in the mid- nineteenth
century dramatically reduced the rimu and tawa, resulting
i n a significant change to the gorge landscape. Following
logging the cleared land was probably colonised by various
grasses, bracken, light demanding woody natives interspers
ed with broom, blackberry and gorse. The semi-shaded,
moist and cool ground conditions beneath the mahoe and
other early colonising species provided a suitable envi
ronment for taller species such as rewarewa and tawa to
become established. This is apparent on large areas on
the southern and eastern facing slopes within the gorge.
Some mosses and ferns are found on the bush floor, while
climbers such as bush lawyer, New Zealand passion fruit,
supplejack an d epiphytes are apparent in the vegetation
canopy.
Today the regenerating forest is largely composed of
tawa, titoki, karaka, rewarewa and mahoe. About 12% of
the park area is in mown grass/streamside shrubland and
almost 20% being in exotic (gorselbroom) scrubland.
Within the park there are areas where slips and recent
site disturbance have encouraged adventive weed species
and garden escapes. In some areas the invasions of adventive
species are so vigorous and extensive they are inhibiting
regeneration and spreading i nto relatively intact stands
of native vegetation. Of particular concern are infestations
of blackberry, wandering willie, buddleia, wattle, and
in some locations gorse and broom.
|
