MSc Project -The structure and functioning of soil and litter invertebrate communities in kauri forests
New Zealand kauri (Agathis australis) produce large volumes of acidic, tannin-rich litter that creates unique soil conditions with relatively low decomposition rates. Thus, kauri represent ‘keystone structures’ in New Zealand forests, where they likely have an inordinate influence on the structure and functioning of belowground food webs. However, this taonga species is under multiple threats from pathogens and climate change. To date, our understanding of what impact these threats are having on whole kauri forest ecosystems is limited.