Effects of secondary woody succession in dry eastern South Island on indigenous plants and animals

Speaker Susan Walker, Landcare Research, Dunedin. Mixed indigenous and exotic communities dominated by shrubs and small trees, at different stages of recovery from fire, now cover about one fifth of land that has not been intensively developed within eastern South Island 'dryland' environments. The benefits and drawbacks of this increasing 'woodiness' for indigenous plant and animals have been debated, but there have been few studies of its ecological effects. Susan will describe some insights from recent research in dry Central Otago. At the Zoology Benham Building, 346 Great King Street, behind the Zoology car park by the Captain Cook Hotel. Use the main entrance of the Benham Building to get in and go to the Benham Seminar Room, Rm. 215, 2nd floor. Please be prompt as we have to hold the door open.