Abstract:
Transformation of landscapes due to forest clearance is a global phenomenon driving biodiversity loss. In New Zealand the loss of biologically diverse lowland forest ecosystems has been severe and the remaining fragmented ecosystems are highly threatened. Although they are often small lowland forest remnants may have high conservation values because many continue to support a range of indigenous organisms including threatened and endangered species. Conservation of these lowland forest fragments is important because they are the sole representatives of previously extensive lowland forest ecosystems. Fragmentation of forest results in a range of effects on the species and communities that survive that survive within forest remnants. An understanding of the key factors that can affect their biodiversity is essential to the successful management of these fragmented ecosystems for biodiversity conservation. Remnant size and connectivity to other remnants are widely held to be important characteristics of remnant habitats that determine biodiversity. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the effects of forest fragmentation on taraire (Beilschmiedia tarairi)-dominant forest fragments in the Manukau Ecological District (E.D.), located in the southern part of the Auckland Region. This lowland district has been highly modified for agricultural use such that only small and isolated indigenous forest fragments remain, comprising just 1.5% of the total land area of the district.
