Seed trapping in Ahuriri Summit Bush Scenic Reserve, Port Hills, western Banks Peninsula, 1985–1986

Abstract

Abstract Seedfall in a mixed native angiosperm-gymnosperm forest, Port Hills, Canterbury, was investigated for the period early January 1985–December 1986, using seed traps with a mouth area of 0.1 m2, sited in a restricted random fashion within a 25 × 25 m marked quadrat (16 traps in 1985, 20 in 1986). All plants 1 m tall or more in the quadrat were mapped, with dimensions recorded. From the total of 56 wild woody plant species in the forest (22 tree species, 20 shrubs, 14 vines) in 1985, 19 were represented in the total seed catch of all traps by 50 or more seeds and a further 12 by 10 or more seeds. Corresponding numbers in 1986 (adjusted in proportion to the increased number of traps) were 18 species represented by 62 or more seeds and a further five by 12 or more seeds. For many of the species there were notable differences in total numbers of seeds caught in the 2 years, and the temporal distribution and length of seedfall (and fruiting peaks) also differed. In 1985, a total of 17 847 full (i.e., po...