Scrubweed cover of South Island agricultural and pastoral land

Abstract

This paper reports a quantitative field survey of occurrence (percent ground cover) and distribution of 13 scrubweeds in South Island agricultural and pastoral land below 1 220 m above sea level. Most ground cover was recorded for bracken (Pteridium aquilinum var. esculentum 2.85%) followed by matagouri (Discaria toumatou, 2.66%) and gorse (Ulex europaeus 1.84%). Lower estimates were recorded for kanukalmanuka (Leptospermum spp., 1.23%), broom (Cytisus scoparius, 0.92%), and sweet brier (Rosa rubiginosa, 0.88%). Provincial occurrences and areas of farmable land covered by scrubweeds are reported.