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Baseline Ecological Research
In 2005 a team of researchers from the Department of Botany at the University of Otago, sponsored by The Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation, undertook baseline research on the vegetation, bird and invertebrate life on Pomona and Rona Islands.
A comprehensive report was produced for the Trust. This research will allow us to monitor the improvements in vegetation, bird and invertebrate life on both islands as a result of our pest eradication programme.
In 2005 a team of researchers from the Department of Botany at the University of Otago, sponsored by The Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation, undertook baseline research on the vegetation, bird and invertebrate life on Pomona and Rona Islands.
A comprehensive report was produced for the Trust. This research will allow us to monitor the improvements in vegetation, bird and invertebrate life on both islands as a result of our pest eradication programme.
Vegetation
Five permanent vegetation plots have been placed on Pomona Island and two on Rona Island and the types and numbers of different plant species in each were recorded. A total of 73 different plant species were found on Pomona Island compared to 35 on Rona Island. Lists of the key species found on both islands are available in pdf form. The difference in species number between the islands can be attributed to the larger size of Pomona Island and the greater diversity in habitat. The inclusion of the permanent vegetation plots on the islands will allow us to repeat the research at regular intervals so that we can directly measure the regeneration taking place on Pomona and Rona Islands.
Five permanent vegetation plots have been placed on Pomona Island and two on Rona Island and the types and numbers of different plant species in each were recorded. A total of 73 different plant species were found on Pomona Island compared to 35 on Rona Island. Lists of the key species found on both islands are available in pdf form. The difference in species number between the islands can be attributed to the larger size of Pomona Island and the greater diversity in habitat. The inclusion of the permanent vegetation plots on the islands will allow us to repeat the research at regular intervals so that we can directly measure the regeneration taking place on Pomona and Rona Islands.
Birdlife
Five minute bird counts were conducted at each of the vegetation plots on Pomona and Rona Islands. A total of 20 different species were recorded on Pomona Island and 20 on Rona Island. The most common species on both islands were tui, grey warbler and tomtit. Overall there was a higher number of birds on Rona Island compared to Pomona Island. This can be attributed to the fewer number of pest species present on Rona Island.
A full list of the birds seen and heard on Pomona and Rona Islands is available in pdf format as is the list of plant species. Download the bird list or plant list.
As with the vegetation plots the study was set up to allow us to repeat the research at regular intervals so that we can monitor the impact of pest eradication on the birdlife on Pomona and Rona Islands. This research will also help us to determine which species, not already present on the islands, should be re-introduced to the islands.
Five minute bird counts were conducted at each of the vegetation plots on Pomona and Rona Islands. A total of 20 different species were recorded on Pomona Island and 20 on Rona Island. The most common species on both islands were tui, grey warbler and tomtit. Overall there was a higher number of birds on Rona Island compared to Pomona Island. This can be attributed to the fewer number of pest species present on Rona Island.
A full list of the birds seen and heard on Pomona and Rona Islands is available in pdf format as is the list of plant species. Download the bird list or plant list.
As with the vegetation plots the study was set up to allow us to repeat the research at regular intervals so that we can monitor the impact of pest eradication on the birdlife on Pomona and Rona Islands. This research will also help us to determine which species, not already present on the islands, should be re-introduced to the islands.
Department of Conservation
Department of Conservation
Porter and MacTavish
Invertebrates
Part of the baseline ecological research comprised a study of insects, flies, bugs and spiders on Pomona and Rona Islands. A large number of different species were caught using methods such as light traps, nets and pitfall traps. Many of these species are still in the process of being identified and more details will be presented once the analysis has been completed.
Part of the baseline ecological research comprised a study of insects, flies, bugs and spiders on Pomona and Rona Islands. A large number of different species were caught using methods such as light traps, nets and pitfall traps. Many of these species are still in the process of being identified and more details will be presented once the analysis has been completed.
