Health checks for Tongariro Forests

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 683, 22 April 1997, Page 5

Health checks for Tongariro Forests

Health checks are underway for nati ve forests i n and around Tongariro National Park and Taupo. The Department of Conservation has just completed Stage One of a two-year programme designed to monitor forest health in the Tongariro/Taupo Conservancy. The study will provide a benchmark for future native forest protection and management. A variety of scientific techniques, including exclosure plots, which keep out introduced grazers such as deer and goats, are being used to establish base-line information. The information will show, how healthy the forests of Tongariro National Park, Tongariro Forest and several reserves in the Taupo area are. Sean Husheer, a conservation officer responsible for ecological survey and monitoring, said the forests face a range of threats, including introduced wild animals and weeds, as well as natural diseases. "In Tongariro National Park there are large areas of conspicuous dieback," said Mr Husheer. "While the most obvious cause is possums, factors such as natural tree deaths, disease and climate change may also be involved. The monitoring programme will help to pin down the culprits." Once the cause of dieback is established, DoC can determine the most effective pest management techniques to use, Mr Husheer said. Volunteers and DoC staff will continue working on the programme over the coming summer.