Changes in the Structure and Composition of the Vegetation/Soil System, Maymorn Ridge, Southern Tararua Mountains

Abstract

The vegetation/soil system on the broad, flat crest of Maymorn Ridge (2600ft.), Southern Tararua Range, has been quantitatively analysed to describe, correlate and date changes in the structure and composition of the system's three major components - vegetation, litter and soil. The General Systems Theory concept of "Steady-state" is reviewed in relation to the well known, but rarely tested, ecological concepts of climax, stability and maturity. The term, steady-state, defines the state of dynamic equilibrium in the vegetation/soil system. In this study, steady-state is applied to the close canopied silver beech forest//gley podzol system.