J.S. Watson Awards For Conservation Projects in 2003

Forest and Bird, Issue 307, 1 February 2003, Page 38

J.S. Watson Awards For Conservation Projects in 2003

| Forest and Bird

central office.

HAYLEY MEEHAN

ight exciting new | projects have been approved by the J.S. Watson Conservation Trust administered by Forest and Bird. Awards have been made as follows: Katrina Hale of the University of Canterbury will be investigating whether inbreeding of the endangered saddleback has increased its susceptibility to parasitic infection. This will be done by comparing the levels of parasitic infection among a number of saddleback populations that differ in their level of inbreeding. Emily King of Victoria University will be investigating the survival, productivity and settlement patterns of yellowhead or mohua shifted from the Dart Valley, Fiordland and from Mt. Stokes, to Nukuwaiata, Marlborough Sounds. This study will monitor how well the birds adapt to their new environment and will provide important information to the Mohua Recovery Group for future relocations of this threatened species. Adrienne Meys of the University of Auckland will be investigating the seed viability and dispersal of wood rose, Dactylanthus taylorit. This study will address a gap in the knowledge of the species, regarding seed development and dispersal ecology, particularly the relative importance of animals as an agent of dispersal. The results of these investigations will provide important management information for the conservation of this threatened plant species. Joanne Peace of the University of Auckland will be

investigating the invasion dynamics of the introduced Australian rainbow skink in New Zealand, and its impacts on native lizards. This project will determine whether rainbow skinks are posing a threat to native lizards, and their likely threat through dispersal beyond their current range. Forest and Bird’s Northern Regional Office will be assessing if off-road vehicles have an effect on beach-nesting birds, and, if so, the nature and magnitude of these effects. In many areas of New Zealand, coastal birds are coming under increasing pressure from human activities. This project will provide important information for managing our coastal ecosystems. Forest and Bird’s Far North Branch assisted by a team of volunteers will continue to propagate native plants at the Kerikeri shade house for the reforestation/planting of public conservation land. Last year 19 community initiatives, as well as projects on public conservation land, were supported with 6800 native plants grown by the shade house volunteers. Forest and Bird’s Rangitikei Branch will continue to control old man’s beard Clematis vitalba infestations in order to protect podocarp forests in local Forest and Bird reserves. Orakei District School students will grow and provide native trees for planting in areas affected by erosion in the Auckland region. This project also provides the students with knowledge of, and appreciation for, nature and the protection of the environment.