NATURE NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 21 November 1931, Page 11

NATURE NOTES

DEFORESTATION EVILS

VISIT TO HAURANGI

MOUNTAINS

(By R. H. D. Stidolph, A.A.OM.>

No more impressive example of th« disastrous effects of deforestation could be provided than that seen on the.occasion of a recent visit to portion of the Haurangi Mountains, lying at th« headwaters of the Turauganui Stream. One side of a hill known as Makara, about 2500 ft in height, formerly clad in. virgin forest is now transformed into a barren slope which is more comparable to a quarry than to an area forming part of a sheep run. The destruction of the bush on the steep sides of this hill has removed Nature's means of binding together what soil there was on the slopes, and, with the action of the prevailing westerly wind, this particular side of the hill is now barren soil and gravel. It is easy to visualise the effect of erosion in tho years to come—it is easy to see the making of a quarry executed by natural means, shingle slips running down to the valley below and the debris being swept down the rivers to widen the bed of the already far too extensive area occupied by the streams running from such country. Similar results are also to be seen on the slopes of the main Mount Boss range, where deforestation !aas already advanced too far, and if allowed to continue, will almost certainly transform the country into a desolate wilderness. The land, if left under forest, would prow bably be a never-failing source of firewood supply, and would be of inestimable value for water conservation purposes. Yet fairly extensive areas of this mountain range are apparently merely Crown lands, and the forest is in grave danger of destruction. Further deforestation in this area, judging by the effects already in .evidence, would be disastrous in more ways than one.

Both deer and goats roam through' this country and have had a iuarked effect on the vegetation. Included in the party that visited the area was a well-known botanist of considerable experience, and according to Ms observa« tions the deer, and probably the goats as well, have practically exterminated certain species of shrubs usually: found in that type of bush. Moreover, it is easy for any person to note that the mosses, ferns, and lichens growing on many of the tree trunks have disappeared on the lower portions accessible to browsing animals, and that the higher reaches provide a refuge for several species of plants that seem to have disappeared elsewhere in the forest. Again, the footmarks of deer were particularly noticeable on the -floor of tha forest, where, especially on the eastern side of the range, considerable destruction has taken place, although not to such a great extent as in the.Aorangr portion of the Haurangi Mountains. One of the most surprising resultß of the apparent effect of browsing animals in the Mount Ross forest is the way in. which the pepper tree, the bark of which is very aromatic, appears to be growkig in greater profusion. than is usually the case, in some cases' the trees forming thick clumps. It is obvious that this tree is distasteful to deer and goats and is nourishing to the exclusion 'of other species. Another plant, one of the five fingers, likewise seems to escape the attention of these animals. This is somewhat surprising, as it is well known that the more common spe> cies of five finger are the first shrubs to be eaten by deer. The survival of the pepper tree and the five finger offer interesting possibilities' of the way ia which the forest might save itself from devastation.

Native birds were not very well represented in the Mount Boss foresty only the more common bush species being noted. On the outskirts of the forest the first birds to greet the visitors were two male tomtits, which appeared on. the scene to make an inspection, of the intruders. Having satisfied their curiosity they departed, soon disappearing among the ■ dead trees and logs which littered the hillside. A nativa pigeon then took sudden flight from » nearby tree, rejoicing in the sunshine which had been obscured since daybreak by a thick fog. A pair of tuii also announced their presence with throaty gurgles, and no doubt wera equally glad to view the surroundings after several hours of dismal grey mist which obliterated everything from I their vision. The whiteheads likewise found relief with the returnof brighter conditions and voiced their pleasure with joyous notes. Further in th* depths of the forest, which was dripping wet, one or two long-tailed cuckoos were heard screeching as thetf moved about, and New Zealand's smallest bird, the rifleman, was seen fossicking about the lichens and mosses clothing the tree trunks and branches. That [was the sum total of native birds seen !in the Mount Boss range. It was somewhat disappointing that no kakas ,or parrakeets were seen on the trip, let alone any such rare birds as robins or crows. According to a report of a recent visit to the high country near the Haurangi Forest by Mr. T. Andrews, of Palmerston North, he heard both the kaka and the parrakeet. The latter, he remarked, was often observed in this locality.

A camp was established for the nighs on the banks of the upper reaches of the Euakokopatuna Stream. Just before darkness set in a morepork called out several times from a dead tree on the other side of the stream, and then flew away in search of food. Sooa after a pair of grey ducks flew swiftly up the stream, also on a visit to their favourite feeding grounds. The only; other native bird seen in this locality; was the grey warbler, which, as usual; was in happy mood, and delighted the campers with its cheery notes. Among the introduced birds seen in the vicinity of the camp were the hedge spar-, row, chaffinch, blackbird, song thrush, starling, yellow hammer, and redpole. Even these were not by any mean* numerous. Tho pipit or ground lark frequented the open country of tho higher lands.