Time to Tackle the Legume Invasion
Don’t let our alpine landscapes drown in wild legumes like broom, gorse and lupins
The Desert Road stretch of SH 1 running through the Central Plateau of the North Island provides expansive vistas of three spectacular mountains as well as a unique mix of tussock and forest making the drive a truly memorable experience.
Sadly the view, and even worse, the integrity of the fragile ecosystem that attracts trampers, hunters and photographers, is being threatened by the increase and spread of invasive exotic plants. The yellow peril of gorse, lupin, and broom are on their way to reaching a critical mass that will permanently modify this landscape.
These plants change the fertility of the naturally nutrient poor soils, encouraging other introduced plants and grasses that compound the problem. Broom produces chemicals that prevent native seedlings establishing and then forms dense thickets able to shade out all other regenerating plants. This can occur from the road edge right to the snow line. Imagine a white mountain sticking our through a sea of yellow weeds.
Organisations managing land in a 23,000 hectare chunk of the plateau - DOC, Genesis Energy, Horizons Regional Council, Lake Rotoaira Forest Trust, NZ Defence Force, NZ Transport Agency, Transpower and Waikato Regional Council - are all working together to protect this amazing area of New Zealand from invasion by these weeds.
Collectively, they are committed to preserving the unique natural values and vistas of the Desert Road environments. Focussing their cooperative efforts for the best results over the next 10 years will include advocacy to engage more stakeholders, managing pathways by which these weedy species enter the area, physical control of weeds, and monitoring of results to ensure success.
If you value this amazing central North Island landscape and would like to help or find out more please contact Craig Davey at Horizons Regional Council [Enable JavaScript to view protected content].