New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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The vegetation of The Snares, islands south of New Zealand, mapped and discussed

Cameron H. Hay

Otago Polytechnic
Private Bag 1910
Dunedin, New Zealand

John Warham*
Brian A. Fineran

School of Biological Sciences
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand

*Author for correspondence

Abstract  A map of the main vegetation communities on The Snares, southern New Zealand, is presented based on stereo-aerial photographs taken by the RNZAF followed by ground checks during the University of Canterbury’s summer expedition, 1969/70. The physiognomic dominant species are the daisy trees Olearia lyallii and Brachyglottis stewartiae, the coastal shrub Hebe elliptica, the maritime grasses Poa astonii and P. tennantiana, and the megaherb Stilbocarpa robusta. Other indigenous vascular plants present include: four ferns, six dicotyledons, and five monocotyledons. Poa annua and Stellaria media are the only adventives which are local. Olearia forest is the principal community, covering some 52% of Main Island and about 18% of Broughton Island. Maritime tussock grassland covers 27% of Main Island and 41% of Broughton. Locations of the uncommon large aniseed Anisotome acutifolia are highlighted. Data on climate, some vegetation changes, and the effects of seabirds on the plant communities are given.

Keywords  The Snares; New Zealand; vegetation map; vegetation changes; cool temperate islands; Olearia lyallii; Brachyglottis stewartiae; Poa astonii; P. tennantiana; Anisotome acutifolia; Stilbocarpa robusta; Hebe elliptica

B03055; Received 10 December 2003; accepted 30 June 2004; Online publication date 9 December 2004
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2004, Vol. 42: 861–872
0028–825X/04/4205–0861 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2004

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