Northland Naturally - First Region of New Zealand
Search Kauri Attractions |
Then sea levels rose (5 million years ago), followed by volcanic activity and the beginning of glaciation. As landscape and climate changed, my kauri ancestors retreated northwards. Ever since, we have been confined to these northern rainforests. Several layers of ancient kauri logs lie buried not far beneath your feet in Northland. These logs preserved in bogs and swamps tell the fate of previous generations of kauri forests, some living at least 45,000 years ago. Some forests collapsed when tsunamis flooded low-lying areas. Some succumbed to fires caused by lightning strikes during glacial droughts. Others were toppled by hurricanes. Despite such catastrophes, new generations of kauri continued to spring up. Let me share the secret of our survival.
Key factsAncestors of the kauri first appeared in the Jurassic Period 190-135 million years ago. Kauri forests are among the most ancient in the world. Kauri forests once covered a million hectares of the north. Now only 7455 hectares of mature forest remain. Waipoua Forest is the largest remaining kauri forest in the world. 3/4 of Northland kauri forest were felled between 1800 and 1900. Younger kauri trees (rickers) carry short branches up their trunks until they are 120 years old.
|
Copyright 2006 Enterprise Northland |