DoC technical adviser and botanist Paul Cashmore with Volcanic Plateau speargrass at Tongariro National Park. Photo / Department of Conservation
DoC technical adviser and botanist Paul Cashmore with Volcanic Plateau speargrass at Tongariro National Park. Photo / Department of Conservation
Ecologists have discovered a threatened plant species in the fire-damaged landscape of Tongariro National Park.
The abundance of Volcanic Plateau speargrass surprised the Department of Conservation (DoC) ecologists because it is usually hidden within dense tussock, flax and mānuka scrub.
DoC technical adviser and botanist Paul Cashmore said although theplant was known in the area, its abundance would not have been understood without the fires that tore through more than 3000ha late last year.
“It’s a welcome side-effect of these fires, discovering a new stronghold for this threatened, nationally vulnerable species,” Cashmore said.
“It clearly can survive a fire and we expect to see it increase even more over the next few years while there is less competition for light from taller growing vegetation.”
DoC said the species “sticks out like a sore thumb” on the blackened landscape.
Volcanic Plateau speargrass "sticks out like a sore thumb" in the blackened Tongariro National Park. Photo / Department of Conservation
During their post-fire assessments, ecologists found the wetlands were only partially affected by the fire with many wetter areas remaining unburned.
Cashmore said one of the most memorable experiences was finding an intact stand of Hall’s tōtara with a chorus of native birds, including toutouwai/robin.
“Remnant patches of vegetation like this act as refuges where flora and fauna have survived, which can assist with natural recolonising of the burned area,” he said.
There was work to be done to help restore the park’s nature, he said.
“We’ll continue working closely with Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro to monitor and act, particularly where it comes to weeds and deer.
“Visitors can help by staying on the tracks; walking on the burned area can introduce new threats like weeds and can directly affect the recovery of slow-growing alpine plants.”
