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Conservation Newsletter |
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This occasional newsletter provides conservation and environment news from the Chatham Islands.
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Chatham Islands Conservation News News about conservation activities on the Chatham Islands.
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Written by Peter de Lange
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Sep 17, 2008 at 03:42 PM |
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The Chatham Ribbonwood has been known to scientists as either Plagianthus chathamicus or P. betulinus var. chathamicus - names that were coined by Leonard Cockayne following his study of Chatham Island plants during his visit to the islands in 1901. Cockayne distinguished the Ribbonwood from the New Zealand tree because it lacked the distinctive juvenile divaricating growth habit of that species. Initially Cockayne felt the tree merited species rank, publishing it in 1902 as P. chathamicus but later in 1912 he revised his opinion and treated the Chatham island Ribbonwood as a variety of the New Zealand tree (P. betulinus var. chathamicus).
One problem out of Cockayne's control was determining the correct name for the New Zealand Ribbonwood. This tree was long known to New Zealanders as P. betulinus - a name coined by the botanist Allan Cunningham in 1840 based on specimens his brother Richard had gathered from the Kawakawa River, Bay of Islands North Island, in 1834. However, the same tree already had a name, albeit in another genus Philippodendrum, as P. regium, having been formally described in 1837 from a tree growing in a garden in Paris by the French botanist Pierre Poiteau. According to the botanical rules of nomenclature, Poiteau's name, as the older name had priority over Cunningham's, and so the New Zealand tree became known as Plagianthus regius. |
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Written by Alex McKillop
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Sep 03, 2008 at 02:31 PM |
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Ray Murphy is the recipient of the 2008 Chatham Island's Conservation Award. The Conservation Board considered that Ray deserved recognition for the years of sustained effort and the 'hard yards' working towards the habitat restoration of Pakauera through to Manauea and Matarakau. Ray's dedication to fencing and planting has been inspirational to other landowners and a huge contribution to the ongoing regeneration of a significant part of the north coast of the Chathams. Congratulations Ray!
The Board acknowledges with sadness the passing of Judy Wright, who along with her brother George Day were presented with the award in 2007 for their diligence in weed control and passion for the preservation of Conservation values on the Chathams. |
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Written by Peter Johnson
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Sep 03, 2008 at 02:05 PM |
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A Conservation Perspective
Retiring member of the Chatham Islands Conservation Board, Peter Johnson, reflects on conservation matters, past and future.
As a botanist with Landcare Research in Dunedin, I had
visited many islands but never the Chathams until it was suggested, in
1999, that I put my name forward for the Chatham Islands Conservation
Board (CICB). So it came to pass that I was able to board an Air
Chathams convair for not just one trip, but for what has become 32
visits. Just as Chathams kai has fuelled my system, so to have the
Chathams got into my blood.
Conservation Boards have the roles of advising the Department of
Conservation (DOC), reporting to the NZ Conservation Authority, and
providing for interaction between DOC and the community. Mainland NZ
has 13 Boards, while the Chathams, being special, unique, and of course
deserving, have their own Board, appointed by the Minister of
Conservation. The CICB has four meetings a year, and its 9-10 members
include two Pitt Islanders and the rest from Chatham, except for one
mainland member. When I joined the Board I was following in the
footsteps of another botanist, Ian Atkinson, who had served for the
previous 8 years.
Although the Chathams Board serves a relatively small land area, it
has a multitude of conservation issues, including those environments
unique to the Chathams, and their large numbers of rare and threatened
plants and animals. More than any mainland Board, the CICB has a
particularly close relationship with the community. I take my hat off
to the Chathams population of a little over 600, in its willingness to
stand for so many councils, companies, trusts, and boards, and at the
same time demonstrate a commitment to conservation by being members -
often long-term ones - of the Conservation Board. In answer to the
question "How do Chatham Islanders keep warm?" one might say, "By
wearing many hats."
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Peter Johnson
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Written by Hon Steve Chadwick: Media Release
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Sep 01, 2008 at 10:32 AM |
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Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick today announced this year's appointments to the Chatham Islands Conservation Board.
"I am pleased to appoint Charles Landis to the board and to reappoint Judith Lanauze," Steve Chadwick said.
"The new makeup of the board represents a wide range of local communities in the Chatham Islands and will give sound advice to the Department of Conservation (DOC) on its policy and directions. Conservation boards play a vital role in giving independent advice on local issues and are a way for local communities to be a part of conservation decisions."
Conservation boards provide links between the community and DOC, and represent the public interest in the department's work and conservation in general.
Charles Landis is a specialist in geology and biology with a long standing interest in conservation matters. He has undertaken historical research on the Chatham Islands since retiring and extended his interest in the flora and fauna of the Chatham Islands.
"I am sure that Charles will add valuable experience and skills to this highly competent and committed board, and I thank him for his willingness to take up this important conservation role."
Ms Chadwick thanked retiring board members Peter Johnson and Joe Tapara for their efforts and commitment during their time on the board.
For more information about Conservation boards, see the DOC website: www.doc.govt.nz/templates/defaultlanding.aspx?id=38848
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Written by Peter de Lange
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Aug 04, 2008 at 11:24 AM |
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The last account of the plants of the Chatham Islands was a Flora (a book that categorises plants including description detail and where they grow) prepared in 1864 by Ferdinand von Mueller, an Australian botanist who never visited the Chatham Islands working solely on plants sent to him by Henry Travers. Since that landmark publication there has never been any further attempt to update existing knowledge of the islands vegetation. The book is long out of print, and there has never been any other alternative publication documenting the types of plants on the islands and how to identify them.
Department of Conservation Scientist Dr Peter de Lange and Landcare
Research Scientist Dr Peter Heenan see a need to rectify this
deficiency. They argue that without a Flora, vegetation management,
both for conservation and biosecurity on the islands is impractical.
They also see it as a valuable resource and gift to the people of the
islands Where for example does one find accurate information on the
types of introduced plants on the Chatham's, and which ones are serious
environmental weeds? How many native plants are unique to the islands?
Which plants were bought to the islands by Moriori, Maori or later
settlers? |
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Conservation News
