beech-podocarp forest

The quantitative composition of ground and epiphytic vegetation, consisting predominantly of bryophytes, is recorded from a lowland stand of climax beech-podocarp forest at Jacksons Bay, South Westland, together with briefer accounts from five pre-climax transitional stands. A survey of epiphylls, indicators of very high humidity, is included and comparisons are made with stands on Secretary Island and Stewart Island

Six stands of lowland vegetation representing transitions from pakihi bog to mixed beech-podocarp forest are described quantitatively from the coastal plain of the Arawata and Jackson Rivers in South Westland. The sequence depicts progressive changes in canopy height, biomass and floristic richness, and appears to involve, at least in part, a primary succession. Some boundaries have been sharpened by periodic fires but the longterm trend remains unobscured.