by frog
I read an interesting article in this morning’s Herald, the usual feature called Rudman’s City. For some as yet unknown reason, a fungus like disease that has been known in NZ for at least 50 years is attacking kauri of all ages, and even threatens Tane Mahuta. Phytophtora taxon agathis (PTA), translated from the Greek, means plant killer. This is nature’s own roundup herbicide. It kills all kinds of plants and our avocado industry would be long gone if every single plant wasn’t sprayed each year.
What scientists haven’t figured out is why it is suddenly chewing through our Northland kauri. Even the first identified karui infection from 1972, on Great Barrier Island, has suddenly exploded into life. Scientists don’t know for sure but they are questioning if climate change is altering the conditions for this deadly fungus.
Biosecurity NZ has finally stepped up, having originally declined because the disease is not new. Whatever the cause, another kiwi icon is under threat and it will cost dearly to try and put it right. I dread the thought of another round of aerial spraying over Auckland, after the dreadful effects of the apple-moth campaign.
Published in Environment & Resource Management by frog on Mon, October 20th, 2008
Tags: Auckland, climate change, Frog, frogblog, fungus, green, Herald, kauri, new zealand, party, PTA, spraying
on the trolls and those who are unable to keep on topic
Far out!! I rekon that is what is killing Rata on the West Coast. I was in a Rata forest recently which had been devastated and assumed it was due to possums. After looking around a bit more it appeared to be from something else but I couldn’t figure out what.
I transplanted some seedlings to my nursery but they just refuse to thrive like other Rata, I wonder whether they have a similar disease to the Kauri.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)
I was fascinated a few years ago to read that a grove of primitive Kauri trees was found in an undisturbed, hidden ravine near Sydney. It had previously been believed they could not survive in Australia.
Kauris trace their lineage back to the very first Agathis species on Earth, so there is a very good chance they will come through this current crisis if they have adequate undisturbed ecological niches in which to grow.
The question is…does man ceate conditions that are so different to past “natural” conditions that it compromises the ability of certain species to survive. I would have to say “possibly, yes”.
It bothered me today to hear that David Cunliffe is encouraging the use of pig cells in humans. Obviously the intention of helping diabetics is a worthy aim, but it just is not right to alter the natural terrain by disrespecting trans-species boundaries.
Nature has its own balance.
What is happening to Kauri COULD be the result of manmade conditions. The result perhaps of tampering with the natural order?
However… I feel it will PROBABLY all be ok if we just permit protected areas for the Kauri to go back to their unmolested state. Cabbage trees seem to have got past their “sudden decline syndrome” that was a real worry a few years ago. Maybe nature has ways past these issues as long as we allow undisturbed habitats to exist somewhere. (like the kauri in Aussie)
Like or Dislike:
0 
0 (0)