The Dominion. TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1935. NATURE THE RESTORER

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 106, 29 January 1935, Page 8

The Dominion. TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1935. NATURE THE RESTORER

Dr. Oliver’s observations on Kapiti Island of the remarkable progress made by native flora since the enemies of forest vegetation have been brought under control emphasise the importance of -ys matic planning if the indigenous plant life of this country to preXveS from ruin and d?cay, and its ultimate rebab, tow-* The chief enemies of forest life, experience has established ate; de; . sheep and goats, ground vermin and insect pests, lhe hist th c actively directly, and immediately destructive ot plant life itse , “Sis : destructive of bird life? the fifth unless kept under conl by the birds, is responsible for the gradual decay " 01a ; Imported animals, such as deer, stoats and weasels and wild cats, ha c seriously upset the balance of Nature s forest economy, and the t - suitant depopulation of the’bird life has in many instances allowed the insect pests to gain the upper hand. The almost complete disappearance o P f native ground birds has exposed the roots and lower n-irts of the tree trunks to the various kinds Oi insects which concen Se their energies on the forest floor. Further up the trees where other classes of birds make war on the insects that infest the ;ng ier portions of the trunks, the branches and the twigs, same story of depredation made possible by the diminution ot bird life has to be tOkl ’ Public opinion in later years has strengthened in support of the principle of forest conservation, but further enlightenment woi. 'seem fo be necessary in respect to the means to be employed to make conservation effective. Every stray cat allowed to make its home in bush is a potential enemy of forest life, but how many people tin, of this when they return from their country holiday minus fa ™ly cat which, lacking a home, and being refused adoption, is foiced by hui’wer to- seek the means of existence in the wilds ?■ How much have the stoats and weasels imported into the country assisted in the accomplishment of their chief mission, the extermination of the rabbit pes . Very little by comparison with the havoc they have wrong iy- “ destruction of forest bird life. . . , f . i;r P Dr. Oliver’s observations on kapiti Island show that foiest h . recovers very quickly if its enemies can be either eliminated or so greatly diminished in numbers that their destructive activities can ne effectively controlled. The effort is surely worth while for the New Zealand forests are the admiration of all visitors from overseas. If systematically conserved they will become in time a national asset of almost incalculable value. They constitute a far more effect ' c means than could be devised by the ingenuity of man of arresting t ie denudation and deterioration of the country s agricultural and pastoi.it The first step toward their preservation is to deal with then enemies. No special legislation is required to enable, forest lovers to make incessant war upon these. The restrictions against the desti notion of deer have been greatly relaxed, and there are no restrictions against the destruction of ground vermin. The main thing is to fac tate in every possible way, as has been done on Kapiti Island, the ietuii of the native birds to their native haunts, and their highly capable and immensely valuable work in keeping down the msect.pests. Only thus will it be possible to give a new lease of life to the indigenous at present threatened with sterility and decay through the decimatio of the protectors Nature has provided for them.. Nature, left .0 herself, is a wonderful restorer, but since man, in some cases to suit his own purposes, and in others through sheer ignorance, has disturber the equilibrium of her economy, it is at least due that he should mak some effort at reparation. His efforts will be repaid in generous measure. - .