Distribution of subfossil forest remains, eastern South Island, New Zealand

Abstract

Summary: The distnbutiOn of subfossil forest remains collected in the eastern part of the South Island of New Zealand is outlined. Surface logs, buried wood and charcoals, wind–throw dimples and buried podsols provide convincing evillence of a former widespread forest cover over now–treeless tracts of the South Island. Most of the Wood and charcoals discovered have been identitied, and collecting sites plotted on a map. A broad distinction can be drawn between probable podocarp and beech forest areas. Radiocarbon dates for a number of wood and charcoal samples are presented and most of these point to forest destruction by fire since the advent of man In New Zealand within the last 1,000 years or so. Older dates presented obviously lie outside the period of human occupation of New Zealand and the fires that produced these ancient charcoals are assumed to have originated from mltural causes. The present vegetalion on former forest sites and the distribution of forest remains in relation to existing forest are discussed, and some of the leading opinions as to the causes of forest destruction arc briefly reviewed.