Kānuka Trees Facilitate Pasture Production Increases in New Zealand Hill Country

‘Tree-pasture’ silvopastoral systems have the potential to become transformative multifunctional landscapes that add both environmental and economic value pastoral farms. Nevertheless, no published study has found increased pasture production under mature trees in New Zealand hill country. This takes a novel approach research Zealand, investigates genus similar bio-physical attributes other global been shown increase their canopies, with aim of finding genera can tree canopies compared open Zealand. measures soil variables two positions: individually spaced native kānuka (Kunzea spp.) (kānuka pasture) paired positions at least 15 m from trunks (open sites over years. There was 107.9% more positions. The were significantly greater Olsen-P (+115.7%, p < 0.001), K (+100%, Mg (+33.33%, 0.01), Na (+200%, 0.001) porosity (+8.8%, 0.05), Olsen-P, best explained variation between Volumetric moisture statistically These results are evidence nutrient transfer by livestock tree-pasture environment. Furthermore, as there 48.6% organic matter trees, likely processes also contributing difference environments, such litterfall. show country farms create enhancing outcomes