tussock grassland <I>Chionochloa rigida</I>

Soil conditions, vegetation features and soil fauna were recorded in montane tall tussock grassland dominated by narrow- leaved snow tussock Chionochloa rigida ssp. rigida up to 30 months after a spring fire. Burning reduced the stature of tussocks and the size and density of tillers in the first growing season. After two growing seasons, tussock canopy development and tiller size remained below those found in the unburnt grassland nearby. New tillers and tussocks established following the prolific fire-induced flowering one year after burning.

The success of studies of change in South Island tussock grasslands can be assessed indirectly by the form in which their results are presented-scientific paper, institutional bulletin, popular publication, conference proceedings, unpublished report, or not at all. Studies often fall short of their potential to increase understanding of the effects of natural processes or management: the results of many simply never reach either the authority that commissioned them or the public in general.