2026-10-06T04:58:30Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34028388 2026-09-30T00:49:10Z category_26899 portal_12 item_type_5 month_year_09_2026

Elizabeth Williams: Forest Succession on Rainfall-Driven Landslides in the Hauraki Gulf Region, New Zealand Elizabeth Williams (25139647) Landscape ecology Landslide Ecology Recovery Vegetation Disturbance Succession Community Invasion <p dir="ltr">Understanding the ecological consequences of landslide disturbances is increasingly important given the predicted increase in landslide frequency and magnitude under climate change. Steep landforms in the Hauraki Gulf region are prone to shallow landslides driven by high-rainfall storm events. However, there is very limited understanding of the effects of landslide disturbance on vegetation structure and composition in this region. We sampled 18 landslides, spanning 3 to 40+ years post-disturbance, to investigate the roles of age and environmental context in determining successional trajectories. Landslides supported a wide range of predominantly pioneer species. Community composition varied strongly between and within landslides, with patterns associated with site age, geographic position, and soil properties. The prevalence of exotic species classified as problematic weeds increased with proximity to settlements and roads. While increasing landslide activity may enhance landscape-scale heterogeneity, benefiting some ruderal native species, it may also increase opportunities for invasion by exotic species.</p> 2026-09-30T00:49:10Z Image Poster 10.17608/k6.auckland.34028388.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/poster/Elizabeth_Williams_Forest_Succession_on_Rainfall-Driven_Landslides_in_the_Hauraki_Gulf_Region_New_Zealand/34028388 CC BY 4.0