Ecology and management of South Island beech forests: New Zealand Forest Service proposals for management and use of South Island beech forests.

The Forest Service proposals for fuller use of some South Island beech forests have focussed unparalleled attention on the management of indigenous forests; and the fact that the New Zealand Ecological Society has conducted a symposium on the ecology of beech forests is a manifestation of this widespread interest. This paper is an attempt to place the proposals directly before ecologists so that final evaluation can follow a reasonably complete understanding.