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Application of biogeography to protection of Chatham Island endemic vascular plants John Sawyer Department of Conservation P.O. Box 5086 Wellington, New Zealand Tel: (04) 470 8427 Fax: (04) 499 0077 [email protected] Introduction The Chatham Islands are home to 42 endemic vascular plant taxa, such as Sporadanthus traversii, Astelia chathamica and Hebe barkeri. The Department of Conservation, since 1997, has collated information about the distribution and ecology of all endemic plant taxa onto the Chatham Plant Database. This information is now being used to improve the protected natural area network for the Chathams, so that those unique components of the flora are protected throughout their range. It is also providing a basis for understanding the ecology of the Chatham Islands. Nikau Bush S.R. Tangepu S.R. Chudleigh C.A. Harold Peirce S.R. J.M.Barker (Hapupu) N.H.R. Henga S.R. Te Awatea S.R. Chatham Island Information about the past and present distribution of endemic plants is being used: Astelia chathamica To identify sites were endemic plants occurred in the past so they may be re-instated to those sites as part of species recovery work (restoration). To develop research projects that seek to provide ecological explanations for observed distribution patterns (ecological biogeography). Hebe barkeri To identify taxa that are poorly represented in the protected natural area network so that legal protection priorities may include sites supporting endemic taxa (gap analysis). To provide baseline information for comparative analysis of future changes in the distribution of each taxon (monitoring). Sporadanthus traversii Ocean Mail S.R New Zealand Rangaika S.R. North I 40°S South I Pitt Island Chatham Is Stewart I 170°E 180° 50° The Chatham Islands Sources of information Information about the endemic plants of the Chathams has been obtained from: Plant checklists compiled for areas in the Chathams. (Sawyer, J.W.D. 2000. Plant checklists and vegetation survey data for areas in the Chathams. Department of Conservation, New Zealand.). Herbarium records from all national herbaria. Species record sheets compiled by botanists working on the Chathams. Case studies Landowners on whose property the plants occur. Myosotidium hortensia Chatham Island forget-me-not This plant forms clumps over 1 m in diameter, comprising leaf stalks bearing huge glossy leaves branching from a stout, cylindrical rootstock. It produces pale blue (sometimes white) flowers. It is found on coastal cliffs, rock outcrops and on beaches just above the strand zone. The past distribution of the plant has identified sites to which the species could be restored. Its current distribution provides a focus for habitat protection and legal protection. Myosotidium hortensia Leptinella featherstonii Chatham Island button daisy This is a woody shrub that forms low, rounded bushes. It has notched, spoon-shaped, blue-grey leaves. It is found on peaty ground near the coast. Leptinella featherstonii The species is nationally threatened and information about its distribution is being used to focus efforts for restoration, monitoring and legal protection. Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai Conclusions Biogeography has been applied in many ways to the protection and restoration of the 42 vascular plant taxa that comprise the endemic flora of the Chatham Islands, including gap analysis, ecological biogeography, monitoring and restoration. The Department of Conservation will continue to manage the Chatham Plant Database and include new information about the endemic plants when it comes to hand. For more information about the ecology and biogeography of Chatham Island endemic plants see: Crisp, P., Miskelly, C. and Sawyer, J.W.D. 2000. Endemic Plants of the Chatham Islands. Department of Conservation, New Zealand. Science Poster no 36 (edition 1 Jan 2001) prepared by Chris Edkins Other titles available from Science Publications, Dept. of Conservation, Box 10420, Wellington.