Vegetation change after artificial disturbance in an alpine Chionochloa pallens grassland in New Zealand

• Published in: New Zealand journal of ecology Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 31 - 36
• Main Authors: Lloyd, Kelvin M., Lee, William G., Fenner, Michael, Loughnan, Abi E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Ecological Society 01-01-2003
• Subjects: Alpine grasslands; Aquatic communities; Chionochloa pallens; Ecological succession; Ecology; Grassland ecology; Invasive plants; Mountain ecology; Plant communities; Plants; Seed dispersal; Seeds; Species; Tussock grasslands; Vegetation
• ISSN: 0110-6465; 1177-7788; 1177-7788

We describe the colonisation of artificially created gaps in an alpine grassland dominated by Chionochloa pallens. Twelve years after their creation, the 50 cm × 50 cm gaps supported a distinctive vegetation composed of a mixture of perennial forbs, grasses and mosses. Three species (Bryum sp., Epilobium alsinoides and Plantago novae-zelandiae) were recorded only in the gaps. Plantago novae-zelandiae and Polytrichum juniperinum had their highest frequency in the centres of the gaps, while Celmisia gracilenta and Geranium microphyllum were most frequent at the edges. The distinctive species composition of the gap plots indicates that they are still in an early stage of succession, assuming an eventual reversion to the surrounding 'climax' grassland.