Management of remnants for their invertebrate fauna

Although invertebrates are relatively more important in the New Zealand biota than they are in most other biotas, too little is known of their taxonomy or their biogeography for general rules of management to be established. Recent taxonomic work indicates that only a small proportion of the invertebrate biota is known and our knowledge of the distribution and habitat requirements of the known species is very incomplete. Therefore, the assessment of management practices must be on a case-by-case basis, with each reserve being considered individually. As a general rule, however care should be exercised over instituting management regimes which will radically alter the existing regime, even if these new regimes appear to be based on good ecological theory.

In future, research on the taxonomy and distribution of invertebrates must take a higher priority if their management is to ever be placed on a sound footing.