Show Notes
Exotic woody weeds such as sycamore can lead to the permanent replacement of a native ecosystem with a exotic one. Sometimes however, woody weeds can act as a nursery species for natives to grow through. Under what conditions does this happen? And with what exotic species? My guest weed ecologist Dr Kate McAlpine shares her research and knowledge about natural native forest regeneration through woody weeds. This episode of Rewilding in Action is supported by the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust. For more information go to www.roddonaldtrust.co.nz
This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - http://oar.org.nz
More from Rewilding In Action
The focus of today’s episode is how to register your naturally regenerating native forest through the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme or ETS.
Exotic pasture grasses are often a major barrier to native forest species getting established naturally. In this episode I’ve come to Te Whenua Ora on Banks Peninsula to find out how sheep grazing can help kanuka (Kunzea ericoides) get established through exotic grass to kickstart the forest succession process. Te Whenua Ora is a 536 ha conservation project near Little River comprising pasture, damp south-facing gullies, original forest remnants and drier north-facing slopes.
I’m often amazed by natures' ability to recover by itself when given a chance. However with less than 1% native vegetation, the Canterbury Plains is a good candidate for some planting to kickstart natural native forest regeneration.
In New Zealand, introduced pigs even in low numbers have very destructive effects on our native bush and wildlife. In this episode (recorded in July 2026) I’ve come to Banks Peninsula to find out about the very recent elimination of over 3000 pigs from 22,000 hectares there – potentially NZ’s largest removal of a population that was established through illegal releases.
Most trees grow much better when they are able to associate with mycorrhizal fungi. Native beech in particular are unable to live without certain species of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Is it a job we are wise to leave to the processes of natural succession? In this episode of Rewilding in Action, my guests Professor David Orlovich, Associate Professor Matt Larcombe and Dr Andy Nilsen from Otago University’s botany department take me, Maureen Howard, on a mini-adventure in Bethunes Gully in Dunedin to find a small remnant of original tawhai silver beech, also known as Nothofagus menziesii.