Flammability trajectories following destocking and forestation: a case study in the New Zealand high country

New forests can bring many benefits; however, public concern over wildfires create a dilemma for restoration ecologists, managers, and policy makers advocating forestation. In southern montane Zealand, destocking following pastoral tenure review forestation incentives have resulted in an increase woody vegetation, raising concerns fire risk. We used abundance-weighted community flammability metrics to investigate changes the of grassland within Mahu Whenua Ecosanctuary destocking, relative communities likely establish naturally this area. While species cover increased decrease highly combustible graminoids shrubs, abundance non-flammable herbaceous meant reduced or showed no change. Woody that could potentially develop area varied substantially structure composition. Open, species-rich, shrublands lower both understorey canopy than mixed dense shrubland/forests species-poor beech (Nothofagaceae) forests. For active projects where is undesirable, low-flammability reduce Where desirable forest are but fire-intolerant, e.g. Zealand beech, risk be by maintaining buffer zones vegetation applying planting strategies such as nucleation accelerate development closed patches more moisture-retentive ground layers. However, historically burnt landscapes, additional information will needed define wider pool appropriate programs.