Question: Does canopy tree regeneration response to different large disturbances vary with soil drainage? Location: Old-growth conifer (Dacrydium and Dacrycarpus), angiosperm (Nothofagus and Weinmannia) rain forest, Mount Harata, South Island, New Zealand. Methods: Trees were aged (1056 cores) to reconstruct stand history in 20 (0.12 - 0.2 ha) plots with different underlying drainage. Spatial analyses of an additional 805 tree ages collected from two (0.3 - 0.7 ha) plots were conducted to detect patchiness for five canopy tree species. Microsite preferences for trees and saplings were determined. Results: There were clear differences in species regeneration patterns on soils with different drainage. Conifer recruitment occurred infrequently in even-aged patches (> 1000 m²) and only on poorly drained soils. Periodic Nothofagus fusca and N. menziesii recruitment occurred more frequently in different sized canopy openings on all soils. Weinmannia recruitment was more continuous on all soils reflecting their greater relative shade-tolerance. Distinct periods of recruitment that occurred in the last 400 years matched known large disturbances in the region. These events affected species differently as soil drainage varied. Following earthquakes, both conifers and N. menziesii regenerated on poorly drained soils, while Nothofagus species and Weinmannia regenerated on well-drained soils. However, Dacrydium failed to regenerate after patchy storm damage in the wetter forest interior; instead faster-growing N. fusca captured elevated microsites caused by uprooting. Conclusions: Underlying drainage influenced species composition, while variation in the impacts of large disturbance regulated relative species abundances on different soils.
A photograph of Latimer Square.
A warning sign about contaminated water is nailed to a tree next to the Avon River on River Road.
A photograph of one of several painted bird cut-outs hanging from a tree next to the Avon River on Oxford Terrace, near the Worcester Street bridge. The decorations were part of an installation titled The River, created by students from Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture for Canterbury Tales, a carnivalesque procession and the main event of FESTA 2013.
A large crack between a row of trees and the riverbank. A fence lining the riverbank has collapsed. The photographer comments, "On the 22 February 2011 we had an earthquake in Christchurch, which ripped us apart literally. This is what happened to the riverbank at New Brighton. Some trees stayed in place and others dropped 2 feet. The amazing thing was that they all stayed upright".
A photograph of a tree on Manchester Street that has been wrapped in bright orange tape by artist Peter Majendie.
A photograph of a close up view of a fault rupture through a tree plantation on Telegraph Road in Darfield.
View over the Avon River through some trees. Our City O-Tautahi and the Claredon Tower can be partially seen.
A photograph of a fallen tree branch beside the Avon River. The photograph is captioned by Paul Corliss, "Central city".
Caption reads: "At night we light up the house like a Christmas tree so that people know we’re here."
Rubble from a collapsed building in High Street Mall.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Hereford - High Street intersection".
An entry from Ruth Gardner's Blog for 22 January 2014 entitled, "Poor Poplar".
A digitally manipulated image of Latimer Square. The photographer comments, "It is so nice to stand in the middle of Latimer Square on a bright Winter's day and forget the havoc that is around you. The square has hardly been touched by the Christchurch earthquake, but it is surrounded by demolished and damaged buildings".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Struthers Lane - Sol Square".
A photograph submitted by Anonymous to the QuakeStories website. The description reads, "Tree collapse on the Avon, Sept 4th.".
A photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Old gnarled tree in the grounds of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Winchester Street, Lyttelton".
A concrete water tank in Hororata. The top half has moved off the pillars and is resting precariously against a tree.
Autumn leaves on trees along the Avon river, a carpark converted from a demolition site can be seen across the river.
Autumn leaves on trees along the Avon river, a carpark converted from a demolition site can be seen across the river.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "10-18 Bedford Row, now demolished. The building behind the tree is 24 Bedford Row".
An aerial photograph of Christ Church Cathedral.
Black and red ribbons tied on to trees in the Christchurch. These were part of the memorial service held in Hagley Park.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "735 Colombo Street".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Cashel Mall looking west".
A pathway through trees on the University of Canterbury campus, beside the Avon River. The photographer comments, "Path by the river, University Drive".
Trees cut down so a house being removed from behind could get out above the fence on one of those elevating house removal trailers. I don't know the story about the yellow (recycling) wheelie bin - the wheels have been removed.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Looking west across Linwood Avenue (long row of trees) to the CBD and Hagley Park behind".
A warning which reads "Polluted Water, Please avoid Contact, Christchurch City Council" on a tree next to the Avon River in Avonside.
A photograph of a Christchurch City Council information poster titled, "Recovering after the earthquake". The poster has been stapled to a tree.