The conservation (protected area) status of New Zealand's indigenous grasslands: An update

Geographic versus environmental space: Patterns of potential native and exotic woody propagule pressure on New Zealand's indigenous grasslands

“…For tall tussock grasslands, 1,274, 464 and 52 ha have changed to shrubland during these three periods. However, the major change in tussock grassland was associated with the conversions to pasture and forestry: 9,011, 5,309 and 1,911 ha of tussock grassland changed to exotic forest during the three periods (LCDB-4.1, 2015) with the decreasing trend possibly indicating a change in awareness and appreciation of New Zealand's native grassland ecosystems (Mark & McLennan 2005;Mark et al 2009). Most change from tall tussock grassland to other land cover types detectable with the LCDB land cover methodology was due to agricultural activities rather than invasion of (native or exotic) species.…”

Estimating patterns of vulnerability in a changing landscape: a case study of New Zealand's indigenous grasslands

“…2008; Mark et al . 2009), but inaccurate and outdated land use and land cover data have previously limited quantification of grassland vulnerability for conservation decision-making (Walker et al . 2006).…”

“…Within the study area, there is anecdotal evidence that conversion of indigenous grassland for pasture, forestry and urban uses is proceeding rapidly at lower elevations and on private land (Walker et al 2008;Mark et al 2009), but inaccurate and outdated land use and land cover data have previously limited quantification of grassland vulnerability for conservation decision-making (Walker et al 2006). Weeks et al (2013) showed that these data overestimated the extent of remaining grassland and underestimated recent rates of conversion.…”

“…Weeks et al (2013) showed that these data overestimated the extent of remaining grassland and underestimated recent rates of conversion. Although severely modified and invaded by exotic species (Mark & McLennan 2005;Mark et al 2009) lowerelevation grasslands retain important residual indigenous biodiversity, including many threatened plants (de Lange et al 2009;Walker et al 2008), and endemic lizards and invertebrates (Patterson 1992;Patrick & Dugdale 2000), and are poorly protected.…”

Provision of Natural Habitat for Biodiversity: Quantifying Recent Trends in New Zealand

“…At higher and more exposed sites with shallow soils and less available moisture, shrubs including the species of Brachyglottis, Coprosma, Dracophyllum, Carydium, Hebe, Podocarps and other Olearia spp dominate; at lower altitudes native shrub species such as manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) and kanuka (L. ericoides) are more common and through time have established themselves among the grasses (Newsome, 1987). Though most New Zealand's indigenous grasslands have been modified to varying degrees by the indirect and direct effects of human activity, they continue to support a rich flora and fauna and are characterized by high species diversity (Dickinson et al, 1998;McGlone et al, 2001;Mark et al, 2009;Walker et al, 2008). However, recent changes in land-use activities have led to further fragmentation.…”