Kānuka. Image: Colin Meurk (CC BY-SA)
Common name: Grey scrub with kānuka
Code: A: S2
Where does it occur?
This alliance is widespread on eastern sides of both the N.I. and S.I. It occurs from lowland to montane areas (50–700 m a.s.l.).
Description
The most consistent dominants of this alliance are the shrub Coprosma rhamnoides, the exotic grasses Dactylis glomerata, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris, Holcus lanatus and the exotic herbs Trifolium repens, Hypochaeris radicata and Crepis capillaris. Native woody species are variably dominant in the canopy including Kunzea ericoides, Melicytus ramiflorus, Ozothamnus leptophyllus, Leptospermum scoparium and Coprosma propinqua. The most important indicator species are Dactylis glomerata and Lolium perenne. This alliance includes LUCAS plots that were described within the Anthoxanthum odoratum – Holcus lanatus (Pteridium esculentum – Ulex europaeus) successional shrubland alliance of Wiser & Hurst (2008, 2010) and Wiser et al. (2011) where Ulex europaeus is absent. On average, canopy heights are 4 m, but more developed stands can attain 12 m. Species richness is moderate with, on average, 45 species per plot. On average, 46% (20 species) of these are exotic.
Indicator species
Co-occurrence of Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Coprosma rhamnoides and Lolium perenne OR
Agrostis capillaris, Coprosma propinqua, Coprosma rhamnoides and Dactylis glomerata OR
Anthoxanthum odoratum, Coprosma rhamnoides, Crepis capillaris and Lolium perenne.
Stand characteristics
| Mean canopy height (m): | 4 m (range 0.2–12) |
Synonyms
| Relationship | Name | Author |
|---|---|---|
| overlaps with | Kanuka scrub | Singers & Rogers (unpublished) |
| overlaps with | Manuka-kanuka scrub | Singers & Rogers (unpublished) |
| overlaps with | Bracken fernland | Singers & Rogers (unpublished) |
Component Associations
(Kunzea ericoides) / Coprosma rhamnoides / Dactylis glomerata – Anthoxanthum odoratum – Plantago lanceolata – (Agrostis capillaris) successional shrubland
Common name: Grey scrub with kanuka and exotic grasses
Code: a: S2
Where does it occur?
This 7 500 ha association has been sampled from Wairarapa, the Marlborough Sounds and North Canterbury. Sites range from moderate to steeply sloping (40º) with altitudes ranging from 20 to 430 m.
Description
This shrubland association is, on average, 4 m tall but can range from 0.2 to 6.5 m. It tends to be species-rich with an average of 43 species on a plot which can range from 23 to 69. On average, however, over half of these species are exotic.
