Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand

Coastal Dune Ecosystem Reference Database

Fire, forest regeneration and links with early human habitation: evidence from New Zealand Journal Paper

Author
Ogden, J.; Basher, L.; McGlone, M.
Year
1998
Journal / Source
Annals of Botany
Volume
81
Pages
687-696
Keywords
Fire history, New Zealand, palynology, Maori, climate, volcanism.
Summary
New Zealand forests burn less frequently than tussock grasslands, heath or shrublands. Species composition, past disturbance and stand condition determine inflammability and fuel load, and consequent fire intensity and spatial extent. Before people arrived, fires were ignited by lightning during drought years on the eastern sides of both islands. Volcanism occurring every 300