Seed production and processing of the indigenous coastal sand-binding plant Spinifex sericeus Popular Article
- Author
- Southward, R.
- Species
- Spinifex sericeus, kowhangatara, spinifex, silvery sand grass
- Keywords
- seed extraction; seed cleaning; germination; thousand seed weight, beach revegetation
- Summary
- Rodney Ecological District (Northland Conservancy), hereafter Rodney ED (Northland), spans the boundaries of the Department of Conservation (DOC) Northland and Auckland Conservancies. This report covers the part of Rodney ED that occurs within the Northland Conservancy. Rodney ED (Northland) covers approximately 21 022 ha in the southeastern corner of the Northland Region, and is bordered by Otamatea ED to the west, Waipu ED to the north, and Rodney ED (Auckland) to the south (Fig. 1). A total of 38 significant natural areas covering 4694 ha (22.3% of the ED; 97% terrestrial and 3% harbour and estuary) were identified during a reconnaissance field survey undertaken between 2010 and 2012 (Fig. 2). Existing databases and reports were also used to provide information on natural areas. These natural areas comprise forest (3750.8 ha; 80%), estuarine habitat (597.6 ha; 12.7%), duneland/sandfield (249.7 ha; 5.3%), shrubland (48.4 ha; 1%), freshwater wetland (46.8 ha; 1%, 32.8 ha of which is open water), and rockland (0.4 ha;