Trend in bare ground from tussock grassland surveys, Canterbury, New Zealand
Trend in the proportion of bare ground in some Canterbury tussock grasslands is analysed using records of vegetative cover from Fox Peak, South Opuha River (1963-1985); Porter River (1976-1984); Waimakariri Basin (1962-1978); and central Waimakariri River (1947-1981). The overall proportion of bare ground changed little in all four surveys. The lowest altitude site at Fox Peak and a low altitude plot in Porter River, showed a significant decrease in bare ground. Other plots and transects in Porter River and Fox Peak, and the Waimakariri Basin records showed no overall change.