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water from P30 Conversion of tussock grassland to pine forest may result in a 25 to 30 per cent reduction in water yield. This should be a consideration for land managers grappling with the issue of wilding pine trees: without those pine trees we will have more water in our rivers. Our native tussocks belong to three groups. The genus Chionochloa includes the tall tussocks, some over a metre high, which are found in wetlands (the red tussock) and at higher altitudes and colder sites. Short tussocks include hard tussock (Festuca novaezelandiae) which grows on the lower hillsides and plains and places where tall tussocks have died out, and silver tussock (Poa cita) which is found on moister areas and slopes with higher fertility. The canopy underneath the tussocks gives significant shade
to the ground underneath, which allows other grasses, sedges and herbs to grow in a moist microclimate. The tall tussocks that form wetlands, as well as providing good water yield to downstream rivers, act like sponges: letting out water slowly, recharging aquifers, soaking up nutrient run-off and providing habitat for wildlife. Tussocks grow slowly and live a long time, a bit like many of our native birds! There may be hundreds of stems in a mature snow tussock, each one taking up to 15 years to mature. They are a valuable part of our natural world and their contribution to our water resources should be taken into consideration in discussions of changing land use. We are lucky to have many areas of tussock under conservation management, including the local Hakatere Conservation Area.
Far left – Red tussocks are tall and long-lived - this one is on the PHOTOS SUPPLIED edge of Lake Heron. Left – Snow tussock on the lower slopes of Mt Hutt.
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MANUFACTURERS OF TIMBER BOXES & PALLETS So for all your pallet or box requirements, no matter how big or small, give Wayne a call today at Adams Sawmilling Also Manufacturers/Suppliers of FARM IMPLEMENT SHEDS IRRIGATION PUMP SHEDS
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