An Annotated Bibliography: the Environmental, Economic and Social Impact of Gorse (Ulex sp.) in New Zealand

Abstract

Gorse is a spiny dense shrub with a yellow, pea pod type flower. It grows to heights of four meters and because of its dense nature, chokes out all other vegetation, including native species, by denying sunlight to anything beneath it. The gorse bloom flowers primarily in spring and summer, but is known to flower year round in some places turning entire areas yellow. Three species of gorse, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii and Ulex minor, are presently growing in New Zealand; only Ulex europaeus is widespread. Gorse was originally brought to New Zealand and Australia as a hedge to contain livestock and for the ornamentation and demarcation of yards. The shrub quickly spread across both countries since the natural enemies that controlled its growth in Europe were absent. The climate and soil type are also ideal for gorse in both countries. Gorse has spread to other countries around the globe. Gorse is presently a noxious weed that invades pasture land in New Zealand and is a problem for livestock and forest managers. As gorse became a menace in New Zealand and Australia, efforts to control it increased. These efforts have centered on herbicides, mechanical removal, grazing and biological control. Literature on the control and management of gorse constitute the majority of the material in this bibliography. This bibliography also contains information on the impact of gorse on forest fires; the biology, ecology and the social impact of gorse primarily in New Zealand. There are 243 references in this bibliography. The primary purpose of this bibliography is to provide resources for researchers, livestock managers, forestry managers, land managers, farmers and students investigating gorse. Previous bibliographies about gorse have published by Gaynor & MacCarter (1981) and Richardson & Hill in1998. This bibliography will update information on gorse published since 1997.