Identifying acceptable vegetation change in high country landscapes

Abstract

The study sought to develop a method for identifying areas of agreement among stakeholders as to acceptable and unacceptable vegetation change in the high country.

The contentious issue of vegetation change in the high country has been explored through a case study survey. Accessing a wide array of stakeholders through a multi-round anonymous mail survey to minimise antagonism, participants were first invited to set the agenda by identifying past and expected vegetation change. To avoid the politics of place, a generic approach was taken. Based on land systems, images were generated and various vegetation change scenarios applied. Respondents judged these on their desirability, possibility, likelihood and sustainability.

The survey succeeded in identifying agreement on the majority of the vegetation scenarios circulated as to their desirability or undesirability.

Indigenous vegetation, particularly tussock lands, elicited the greatest agreement as to their desirability. No scenarios involved obvious land development or tree planting obtained any majority of support. The presence of wilding trees, and of geometric forest block, was judged undesirable by a majority.

Thus, the method developed succeeded in identifying acceptable vegetation change for the high country. However, whilst seen as possible, such vegetation was generally judged to be unlikely. No scenarios have been found to be considered sustainable.