Factors associated with trends in bare ground in high country

Abstract

Environment Canterbury has responsibility for promoting sustainable management of the region’s natural resources. Soil erosion in the Canterbury high country has been a long-term concern, and was the subject of the problem brought to MISG. Pre-European and early European burning and grazing not only induced large tracts of tussock grassland in areas that were previously wooded, but also exposed areas of soil to further erosion by wind, rain and frost. In the 1960s to 1980s the government encouraged de-stocking on some properties, with the aim of restoring vegetative cover. In the late 1970s, a monitoring programme was set up in parts of the Canterbury high country to track the effects of lowered grazing levels.