The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Just read the Network newsletter and Sarah Beadel's editorial made me wonder whether there is a problem nationwide with indigenous plants and plant communities suffering due to the drought? Do others have images or observations of what is occurring that they are willing to share? Any plant populations dying out entirely? Any reserves or covenants facing a major drouught induced dieback?

Hi John,

I've got a database on the effects I'm observing on both native and exotic species. Some interesting effects - some local some widespread. For exampleTradescantia is undergoing severe wilt on the Coromandel, even in shaded locations. Young plants and even small trees of Melicytus ramiflorus and Geniostoma rupestre are suffering severe wilt leading to total leaf loss and possible plant death. Worrying adult trees of Taraire are suffering huge leaf fall and possible branch/tree death in some places.

I'm interested in compiling any other observations people may have

Mike

Hi John & Mike,

I was at Mt Cook for Easter and the Gaultheria crassa and Celmisia semicordata are not doing very well - especially on well drained soil (e.g. on the way to Sefton Bivvy). There has been a lot of die back in both those species. Some of the Dracophyllum are also looking very stressed.

Cheers,
Jane

We are noting that Coprosma propinqua in particular that has infestations of yellow mistletoe, Ileostylus micranthus, are being severely affected with reduced foliage, lack of seed and eventually death, first to branches and eventually to the whole shrub. The leaves of the Ileostylus turn yellow and then die also.

Thanks Jane, will add those observations to the database

@Lala - interesting - it has been noted that mistletoe can be detrimental to their hosts, but there is little evidence for this. What would be good and simple is to look at a number of plants, and for each note the number of mistletoes of each species, assess the density of mistletoe as a proportion of plant size (0-5) and score the amount of leaf loss (0-5). Would be even more interesting if people could do this at several sites