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    Reproduction in selected New Zealand native ferns and their suitability for revegetation : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Plant Biology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2006) Denton-Giles, Matthew
    The potential to use New Zealand native ferns for revegetation was assessed in laboratory , nursery and field experiments. Laboratory experiments indicated that the three native fern species. Blechnum novae-zelandiae. Cyathea medullaris and Dicksonia squarossa, had different maximum levels of spore germination. These differences also varied in response to seasonal changes in the environment. The effect of three soil conditioners on the germination of the same three species was minimal Gametophytes appeared to be tolerant of low levels of maceration, as they were able to continue to grow and develop normally. Additional laboratory experiments indicated that B. novae-zelandiae employs a mixed mating system, which utilizes an "antheridiogen" signal. The development of fern spores, laboratory propagated gametophytes and segmented rhizomes, was assessed in the nursery. Each experiment was applied with a hvdroseeding mix of paper fibre, tackifier. fertilizer and water Spore of B. novae-zelandiae. C. medullaris and D. squarossa failed to produce any long-lived gametophytes The survival of laboratory propagated gametophytes of B. novae-zelandiae. B. discolor and B. colensoi was low. However, a large proportion of surviving B. novae-zelandiae gametophytes produced sporophytes. B. novae-zelandiae rhizome segments produced healthy young ferns within 3 months of application. Field experiments were conducted on a sandstone/loess bank. 5 km east of Palmerston North. Aspects of the substrate were analysed including. pH. N, P and organic matter. The results indicated that the bank had a high soil pH, was deficient in several macronutrients and had no organic matter. Hydroseeding was applied using spore of the species B novae-zelandiae, C. medullaris and D. squarossa Hydroseeded spore failed to produce any visible gametophytes Rhizome experiments using B. novae-zelandiae and Microsorum pustulatum were also established. Low water availability resulted in poor rhizome establishment. The results suggest that there is great potential for utilizing native ferns in revegetation. Blechnum novae-zelandiae is the best species for revegetation in accordance to the results. Propagation via rhizome segmentation and gametophyte hydroseeding appear to be the most successful methods for establishing native ferns. This TIF project was carried out in conjunction with Rural Supply Technologies. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research. Massey University and FoRST New Zealand.
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    Rehabilitation of unoxidised pyritic waste rock and tailings at Martha Hill Gold Mine, N.Z. : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Horticultural Science in Soil Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1996) Mason, Kathy Anne
    At the Martha Gold and Silver Mine in Waihi, New Zealand, land disturbed by mining operations is required to be revegetated. Areas include pit walls above the natural water level, the slopes of the dam impounding the tailings and the tailings surface. The research work reported in this thesis is concerned with revegetation of acid generating material situated on the pit walls, and tailings revegetation. Hydroseeding with grass species onto pit slopes comprising unoxidised pyritic rock material proved to be unsuccessful because of acid generation which caused the pH to drop as low as 2.2 on the slope surface. Where calcite veins were present the pH was maintained at higher levels. It was found that a mixed species of hydroseeded grass grew successfully where the pH was 6.0 or above. Clover began to show signs of stress when the pH dropped to 4.5 and when the pH fell as low as 3.6, all grass died. Boreholes at a diameter of 100 mm were drilled to a depth of 500 mm into the slope surface of pyritic rock material to provide planting holes for native species at 1.5 m intervals. Toetoe, manuka, kanuka, flax and akeake all had acceptable survival rates over a ten month period. Coprosma kirkii was not successful and is not recommended for further plantings. Topsoil placed in the boreholes was found to have a beneficial effect on the overall plant survival rate, more so than the addition of lime or fertiliser. Although survival rates for native plants were acceptable over a ten month period, the objective of providing a vegetation cover that would improve the visual appearance of the slope was not achieved with 1.5 m spacings between plants. In contrast to the unoxidised pit slope material, tailings were found to have few limitations to plant growth. In 1992, two separate tailings trials were established to investigate the use of native plants as an alternative land use to pasture and the use of compost as an amendment for pasture production and native plant growth. Within the first six months following sowing, pasture dry matter yields from tailings plots with a 50 mm layer of compost applied to the surface were not significantly different from yields from tailings plots without a compost amendment although clover production was visually greater on compost plots. For subsequent cuts, compost-amended plots gave significantly higher pasture dry matter yields than nil-compost plots. Yield differences after the first six months were considered to be due to the improved P status on compost-amended plots. Yields off nil-compost plots in the first year of the 1992 trial averaged 11,000 kg DM/ha, compared to 9,000 kg DM/ha obtained from an earlier trial on an older tailings deposit (Union Hill). Yields off the compost-amended plots in the 1992 trial averaged 14,000 kg DM/ha, significantly higher than topsoil-amended plots in the Union Hill trial which yielded between 6,000 and 7,000 kg DM/ha in the first year. Yield differences between treatments of the two separate trials may have been due to differences in P status or rainfall. The survival rate for the native plants in the tailings trial (flax, cabbage tree, kanuka and Pittosporum tenufolium) was 100%. The addition of compost caused significantly higher growth rates in the first six months but beyond six months no significant differences were observed. A rehabilitation predictive model was developed for tailings rehabilitation which investigated costs and returns over a fourteen year period based on five different rehabilitation scenarios. The scenarios included the use of clay covers, resurfacing with compost in the event of a topsoil shortage, and a comparison between pasture and native plant land uses. It was found that if a clay cap was required on the tailings surface, large quantities of material would be required. Relatively high costs were found to be associated with the need for a clay cap and compost. Rehabilitation with native plant species was found to be more expensive than rehabilitation to pasture, and if treatment of surface water derived from the tailings surface was required, there would be significant added costs. Maintenance costs for natives were also found to be high and where pasture provides some revenue, further trials are required to determine whether revenue from natives timber species is possible.
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    The distribution and properties of soils in relation to erosion in a selected catchment of the southern Ruahine Range, North Island, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Soil Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1978) Hubbard, Carolyn
    The soils of a selected subcatchment of the Southern Ruahine Range have been mapped at a scale of 1:5,000. The soil mapping units have been further characterised by measurement of a number of soil physical and chemical properties, together with an investigation of their sand and clay mineralogies. The erosion history since 20,000 yrs B.P. when the Aokautere Ash was deposited in the West Tamaki River catchment, has been partially reconstructed for this catchment. It is one of erosive periods and resulting aggradational gravel deposits, alternating with more stable periods with soil development and vegetation growth. Studies of a histosol (organic soil) on the summit plateau of the Southern Ruahine Range, at the head of the catchment, suggests that this soil is approximately 4600 years old, and prior to this time the summit plateau was stripped by erosion. Present erosion occurs predominantly: (1) on convex creep slopes, just below the summit plateau, and (2) on the steep valley-sides. In the former zone, where Takapari hill soils exist, deep-seated creep and mass movements occur. In the latter zone, where Ruahine steepland soils exist, superficial soil and rock slips are more common. An investigation of the soil-water relationships for each soil mapping unit indicates that a number of factors render the Takapari hill soils and Ruahine steepland soils particularly susceptible to erosion. A comparison of soil properties which affect the erosion susceptibilities of each soil mapping unit has enabled an ordering of the units with respect to erosion risk. Thus, areas of high, medium and low risk to erosion in the West Tamaki River catchment have been delineated. Many of the deep-seated erosion surfaces occur in The high risk area. Thus, if stabilisation of these sites is possible, by intensive revegetation programmes, the result will be a decrease in the amount of gravels carried out of the mountainland by rivers onto the surrounding fertile floodplains.
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    Revegetation of recent soil slips in Manawatu : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Applied Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2009) Prasad, Kamal Kishor
    Trifolium repens, Lotus pedunculatus and Holcus lanatus were oversown on two recent soil slip surfaces at AgResearch’s Ballantrae pastoral hill‐country farm near Woodville. The two slip surfaces were located on (Manamahu steepland soil) sedimentary mudstone. One slip had a north aspect and the other had a south aspect. Both slips were located on a land class 6 with slope 28‐330. The pasture species were oversown during early spring and the percentage seedling emergence and early establishment from viable seeds oversown was analysed at early spring (Day 15), late spring (Day 45), early summer (Day 90), and late summer (Day 120). The slip surfaces showed micro‐climatic extremes in terms of both soil moisture and surface temperatures during the summer period. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in soil moisture between north and south facing slip surfaces. Higher soil moisture and lower soil mean temperature were recorded on the south aspect slip surface. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between the three pasture species in terms of seedling emergence and early establishment. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were also found with aspect. The south aspect slip surface had a higher percentage of seedling emergence and earlier establishment for all the species. Interaction between species by aspect became significantly different (P < 0.05) at Day 90 and Day 120. The main effects of time and species were also significantly different (P < 0.05) illustrating seedling emergence and establishment as a race against time. Trifolium repens was a more successful pasture specie, than L. pedunculatus and H. lanatus due to its higher consistency on both north and south slip surfaces. Oversowing T. repens during early spring is a viable option for rehabilitation of recent soil slips in Manawatu.