Weeds are slowly being removed all over Motuihe Island... More....

Recommended Species for Restoration Planting on Motuihe Island - October 2003

The proposed species lists identifies plant species present on the Motuihe Island indicating where there are only a few species left recommending that seed be collected from an alternative seed source (*). Potential seed sources identified include Waiheke Island and The Noises Group. A palynological investigation has provided further information on the historical vegetation patterns of Motuihe.

It is recommended that Waiheke Island be the main seed source site due to the ecological similarities with Motuihe Island and its ease of accessibility. The Whakanewha Regional Park (247 ha) provides a good representation of the range of species that once existed on Waiheke Island offering the most diverse range of species on the island due to the range of habitats it incorporates.

Plant species have been categorised into three groups (secondary successional, early-mid successional and infill canopy) providing a rough guide of numbers (high, medium, and low) to be grown.

Plant species lists provided include:

• Secondary species - high numbers to be grown

• Early-mid successional species - medium numbers to be grown

• Infill canopy species - low numbers to be grown

• Additional species - to be grown at a later stage

• Regionally threatened or endangered species - consideration for future re-introduction