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Flagstaff Restoration Kereru
Rehabilitation Moore's
Bush Restoration
Otanomomo Weed Eradication Quarantine
Island Restoration Wilding
Tree Control
Otanomomo Weed Eradication
Early in 2003 the Department of Conservation offered Dunedin Branch an initial one year contract to try to eradicate invasive weeds from Otanomomo Scientific Reserve, near Telford Polytechnic on the road between Balclutha and Owaka. The contract also requires protection and enhancement of the small population of a threatened tree, Olearia hectorii, which exists at Otanomomo.
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| South Otago Branch Forest and Bird, partners with Dunedin Branch (and members of Plodders Walking Group) clearing weed infestation. |
The forest at Otanomomo is notable for its spectacular canopy of emergent podocarps, but the understorey has suffered considerable invasion of weeds. The Department of Conservation gained internal funding for a site-led weed project, but local conservation staff are fully committed to other work and have no surplus time. Management committee members inspected the reserve, finding a severe infestation of Chilean Flame Creeper, as well as a considerable amount of blackberry and a range of other woody weeds.
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| Young
totara overwhelmed by the Chilean Flame Creeper. |
The Chilean Flame Creeper presents a particular challenge as no practical control method is known for large infestations of this species occurring in native forest. Never the less, the Branch has taken up the contract, as no other contractor appears to be available to do the work, meaning that the funding would lapse and the reserve continue to suffer from the weed effects, as well as provide a seed source for weed invasion of other areas.
This project will require a significant and sustained effort from volunteers, and we trust that Dunedin and South Otago Branch members will prove willing to assist with restoration of this important lowland forest.
For more information
on this project contact Ken Mason, 03-476-7100
kdmason@xtra.co.nz
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