Plants
Nelson’s landscape was once almost entirely covered in podocarp and mixed beech-podocarp forest: Totara, matai, rimu, miro, kahikatea, beech species (hard, red, black, silver and mountain), southern rata, Hall’s totara and mountain cedar. In the upper mineral belt areas, tussock, stunted shrubs and distinctive mineral belt specialist plants survived in the harsh conditions.
Pockets of broadleaved forests thrived in sheltered coastal gullies – tawa, titoki, pukatea, nikau, hinau, tree ferns; on sheltered coastal slopes grew ngaio, akeake, akiraho.
Nelson had freshwater wetlands and fertile lowland swamps in its valleys – home to kahikatea, harakeke, cabbage tree and russock sedge. Riparian ecosystems supported black beech, kowhai, flaxes and toetoe, with estuary margins supported estuary tussock and saltmarsh ribbonwood.
This is just a snapshot – in reality the plant communities here were incredibly diverse and supported a rich population of native insects, invertebrates, birds and mammals.
Like much of New Zealand, many of our region’s original rich native habitats have been impacted by centuries of human activity leading to habitat loss and threatened species. The remaining lowland and coastal vegetation stands in Nelson are small pockets surrounded by pasture, exotic forest or urban areas.
What is Council doing?
Nelson Nature is actively working with the community and other partners to protect and enhance our native plant habitats, ensuring their preservation for future generations. Key initiatives include:
- Protecting Fragile Plant Communities: Focused on the mineral belt, we are educating the public and taking action to protect these vulnerable ecosystems.
- Combating Wilding Conifers: Partnering with Forest and Bird, we are tackling the spread of wilding conifers that threaten native biodiversity.
- Controlling Browsing Pests: By managing pests that hinder natural forest regeneration, we aim to support the restoration of native forest areas.
- Supporting Landowners: Assist landowners working to restore native forests on their properties.
- Riparian Habitat Restoration: We are planting and maintaining riparian habitats along rivers and streams to protect water quality and support biodiversity.
- Community Action on Invasive Plants: We support local communities groups focused on controlling invasive plant species in the Nelson Halo, such as Weed Busting groups.
- Significant Natural Area Support: Offering guidance and resources for the protection of significant natural areas.
- Forestry Strategy: Developing strategies for sustainable forestry practices that support biodiversity conservation.
Through these collective efforts, Nelson Nature is helping to ensure the long-term health and resilience of our native ecosystems.
How can you get involved?
- Control pest plants in your garden/property
- Join or start a weedbusting group in your area
- Plant natives in your garden, take a look at the Living Heritage: Growing Native Plants in Nelson
- Join in community planting days in your area
- Talk to your neighbours about controlling weeds on your street.
Key Plant Species
- Mineral Belt Harebell
- Mineral Belt Harebell
- Mineral Belt Montia·
- Mineral Belt Forget-me-not
- Mineral Belt Pincushion
- Coastal peppercress
Threats
Introduced plant pests threatening our native habitats are:
