Conference 2003
Greening the City:
Bringing Biodiversity Back
into the Urban Environment
Abstract:
Community
Involvement and Ecological Research for Enhancing New Zealand Native
Pigeon (Kererü) on Banks Peninsula
Takerei
Norton (Kaupapa Taiao, Te Rünanga o Ngäi Tahu)
The
kererü is New Zealand's only native endemic pigeon. It plays a key
role in the restoration of native forests by distributing seeds
of native trees. Banks Peninsula was once known for its abundance
of kererü, a taonga (treasure) of the indigenous people, Ngäi Tahu.
Today,
far fewer kereru exist, and only in fragmented remnants of native
forest. Kaupapa Kererü is an initiative to restore kererü communities
in and around Banks Peninsula, and is powered by representatives
of Ngäi Tahu, the Department of Conservation, Landcare Research,
and Lincoln University. The initiative has a two-pronged approach,
work is being done with local communities to raise awareness and
support the restoration of kererü populations. Ecological research
is also being undertaken to elucidate information as a basis for
improving habitat. Recent advances have included the development
of a calendar, containing kererü illustrations by local school children,
information on kereru biology, and survey forms to allow local people
to report their kererü observations. On Banks Peninsula there is
a mosaic of rural, urban and regenerating forest habitats.
We
are researching data on food plant species that are used by kereru,
their relative importance, and seasonal patterns of usage. We are
also gathering data on kereru movement between habitats, and on
predator impacts at representative sites on Banks Peninsula.
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