McGLONE,Available on-line WILMSHURST, at: http://www.nzes.org.nz/nzje LEACH: ECOLOGY AND HISTORY OF BRACKEN 165 An ecological and historical review of bracken (Pteridium esculentum) in New Zealand, and its cultural significance Matt S. McGlone1*, Janet M. Wilmshurst1 and Helen M. Leach2 1Landcare Research, P.O. Box 69, Lincoln 8152, New Zealand 2Department of Anthropology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand *Author for correspondence (E-mail:
[email protected]) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract: New Zealand bracken (Pteridium esculentum) belongs to a group of closely related fern species of near global extent. Pteridium species worldwide are aggressive, highly productive, seral plants, functionally more akin to shrubs than ferns. Their deeply buried starch-rich rhizomes allow them to survive repeated fire and their efficient nutrient uptake permits exploitation of a wide range of soils. They are limited by cool annual temperatures, frost, wind, and shallow, poorly drained and acidic soils. Bracken stands accumulate large amounts of inflammable dead fronds and deep litter and often persist by facilitating fire that removes woody competitors. Bracken was present but not abundant in New Zealand before the arrival of humans. Occasional fire or other disturbances created transient opportunities for it. Rhyolitic volcanic eruptions led to short-lived expansions of bracken, and it briefly became dominant over ash-affected areas of the central North Island after the large AD 186 Taupo Tephra eruption. Andesitic eruptions had limited effects. Bracken became one of the most abundant plants in the country after the arrival of Maori in the 13th century, when massive deforestation affected most of the lowland landscape.