Re: Unwise Introductions (was NZ Metrosideros

Barry Garcia wrote:
> 
> theryans@xtra.co.nz writes:
> >We have a most awful record here for thoughtless introductions both of
> >plants and animals (mainly, but not all, back in the 19th century). One
> >of the most destructive of all has been the possum I was talking about,
> >which has devastated our forests, pushing many beautiful plant  species
> >towards extinction, such as Ratas and native misletoes, and killing off
> >our rarer birds by attacking their nests. Ironically, when these beasts
> >were introdued as a source of fur, Members of Parliament were competing
> >to secure some for release in their particular electorates!!
> 
> It's such a shame. Jeeze, how thoughtless people back then were. We have a
> somewhat similar problem with annual grasses from Europe (you're probably
> aware), since the arrival of the Spanish, who brought their cattle with
> them in the 1700's, we now have most of the grassy hillsides dominated by
> nasty ripgut bromes, foxtails, wild oats, etc. They've pretty much pushed
> out the native bunch grasses (which apparently are tastier to cattle).
> I've read that the only places where you can see plants communities like
> they were before Europeans settled are the serpentine soils, which are
> toxic to the non-natives, but adapted natives thrive in them.

Until modeern times there was almost no natural grassland in NZ except
at the higher altitudes where the very distinctive grasses were various
tussock species. These proved to be good fodder, but were weakened over
the years by a rgular annual burning carried out to get new green growth
for stock, which  sapped their strenght and encouraged erosion. Today
not much tussock remains except in protected areas.

On the lowlands large tracts of the native forests were cleared out and
good -quality European pasture species planted, which provide the bulk
of today's extensive pastures. It turns out that the country will not
only grow good trees, but very high-quality pastures of sufficient
richness to allow a majority of stock to be raised on grass alone or
with a minimum of supplementary feeding.

Because there were practically no unforested lowland areas originally
in  NZ apart from beaches and seacliffs, there was the peculiar
situation that there were scarcely any native wild flowers, either
annual or perennial, until one got up to the alpine herb fields.
However, this was soon rectified after European settlement by the spread
of numerous wildings from Britain which hitched a lift with the pasture
grasses and other crops, either as seeds or occasionally plants around
potted trees. So we have the pecular situation today that the flora
along almost any wayside is a rather depleted copy of what one might
find along British roads. It is quite possible to walk for miles along a
contry road in almost any part of NZ outside the mountains without
seeing a single native species apart from maybe the occasional shrub or
tree. And of course a British flora is far better than a local one for
identification of weeds!

> >Nowadays no plant or animal can be brought in without careful scrutiny
> >and tests by the authorities to ensure it cannot run wild.
> 
> We dont seem to have such a rigorous program here, but we do have border
> patrol at state borders who inspect vehicles to see if anyone is bringing
> in animals or plants into the state. This amused my friend Kate quite a
> bit (She is from Rhode Island). Although they usually take your word for
> it and dont really force a check of your car, or motor home.

Well, it's to be hoped you are all an honest bunch, but knowing human
nature I wouldn't be surprised at a bit of cheating. When I was working
for the Dept of Ag. in Kenya around fifty years ago I occasionally had
to do with the plant protection work. One of the major concerns was to
try and prevent various plant viruses getting into the country,
especially Tomato Spotted Wilt. 

For a long time there was no official quarantine facilities available
which meant that things like Dahlia tubers were totally forbidden, a ban
which greatly exasperated people who liked to grow the newest offerings
from Britain and elsewhere. In fact people would go to great lengths to
get round this regulation. I remember in particular one woman who tried
unsuccesfully to get past customs with her bra stuffed with some of the
tubers! By the time I left Kenya there was a proper quarantine station
operating and the temptation to try deception reatly reduced. And as far
as I know the country was still then clear of the spotted wilt!

Moira
-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan
Wainuiomata - at the Southern tip of North Island, NZ,
Lat 41°15'S, Long 174°58'E (Antipodes of Spain/Southern France)
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