The palynology of two Whangarei craters, Northland, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geography at Massey University, New Zealand
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Date
2013
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Massey University
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Abstract
Whangarei lies within the Puhipuhi-Whangarei Volcanic Field, one of two fields located in
Northland. The purpose of this project was to use a palynological study to provide information
on the minimum ages of the young Whangarei cones, their vegetation history, and the
approximate date of human arrival. Wetlands in the craters of the Maungatapere and
Rawhitiroa basaltic cones were selected for this study since they both occupy discrete areas
which only collect sediment from within their respective cones. A single peat core from each
wetland was processed for fossil pollen and radiocarbon dating.
Radiocarbon dating was performed by the University of Waikato, providing minimum ages for
the volcanoes. The date for the base of the Maungatapere core was 10530 ± 136 cal. yr BP,
and an age of 2775 ± 52 cal. yr BP was determined for the basal peat from Rawhitiroa. K-Ar
dating performed previously indicated that these cones were about 0.30 my old.
The pollen data indicated that a kauri-conifer-broadleaved forest was consistently present
around Whangarei during the Holocene. At Maungatapere the arrival of Maori at c. 1360 AD
was inferred from the marked decrease in Dacrydium cupressinum and the appearance of
new species. This was an important horticultural site and was not repeatedly burned. At
Rawhitiroa, the arrival of Maori possibly at c. 1200 AD was indicated by a decline in forest
trees and the increased abundance of Pteridium esculentum and charcoal fragments. This
occurred prior to the deposition of the Kaharoa Tephra, the presence of which was noted in
the Rawhitiroa core.
The Maungatapere wetland is currently a fertile swamp forest while the Rawhitiroa wetland is
an infertile bog dominated by Sphagnum and sedges. The difference in the fertility of the two
wetlands can be partially attributed to the activities of humans. Repeated forest fires at
Rawhitiroa increased waterlogging and stimulated the growth of herbaceous wetland
vegetation, causing the rapid build-up of peat and infertile conditions. The forest at
Maungatapere was not repeatedly burned and the wetland became drier over time,
maintaining its fertility.
The incomplete core of peat infill at Maungatapere was a limitation of this project.
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Keywords
Palynology, Volcanoes, New Zealand, Whangarei District, White Island, Remote sensing, Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES::Earth sciences::Exogenous earth sciences::History of geology and palaeontology