On the vegetation of the hunua ranges, auckland

Abstract

Forest covers most of the 96 square miles of land over 500 ft. altitude in the Hunua Ranges. The forest is classified into five main types: tawa-podocarp forest (75% of the total); kauri, hard beech, tanekaha forest; taraire forest; montane scrub forest over 2,000 ft altitude; and remnants of coastal forest below 300 ft. altitude. The vegetation has been modified by long term climatic changes as well as more recent animal and human activity. Future structure of the forest is discussed in the light of a probable wetter and warmer climate. This should result in increased kauri, taraire and possibly podocarp components at the expense of tawa and hard beech. © 1972 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.