THE KAHIKATEA (Dacrycarpus Dacrydioides) FOREST OF SOUTH WESTLAND

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides forests in South Westland between the Waitangitaona and Saltwater rivers occur on low terraces of alluvial silt. Their relationship to other river flat and swamp communities on post-glacial surfaces is described. Recently abandoned river beds are colonised by pioneer species, which give way to vegetation dominated by grasses, sedges and rushes, whi(:h in turn afe invaded by woody plants, especially Coprosma propinqua and Podocarpus totara vaT. l.vaihoenw. Seedlings of several tree species grow up under the shrub thickets, leading to young forests dominated by Pennantia corymbosa and various other species on the heavier silts and by Podocarpus totara on stony ground. These forests form a nursery for Dacrycarpus and other podocarps.