Is bird poo an answer for forest restoration? Gisborne ecological haven finding out

A seed island planting on Waikereru near Gisborne where bird poop has played a key role in the re-establishment of native forest. Photo / Allison Hess

Could New Zealand’s native forests be restored more effectively, efficiently and cheaply by bird poo?

That’s the question being explored at Waikereru, a 120-hectare haven for native plants and animals, nine kilometres from Gisborne.

Waikereru is one of the country’s biggest ecological experiments.

The latest hypothesis being put to the test is “seed islands”, where an area of native fruiting trees gets planted to attract local bird populations, then nature does its thing.

Twenty-three years ago, Waikereru founder and chair Dame Anne Salmond and late husband Jeremy planted groves of fruit-bearing trees - including tītoki, pūriri, karaka and tōtara - to create wildlife corridors between Longbush Reserve and regenerate native bush in the Waimatā River valley.

Dame Anne Salmond talking about the project. Photo / Predator Free NZ

“The aim was to stabilise the eroding foothills of the land formerly used as a sheep farm, but there was also an inadvertent benefit,” Salmond said.

“It’s food for the birds. They’re brilliant at restoring a native forest, and you don’t have to pay them.”

The initial success drew the attention of Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Tāne’s Tree Trust, and Trees That Count.

“They wanted to understand which trees do well in different habitats and how diverse native forests can be established faster and more naturally than labour-intensive and expensive planting (which can cost more than $20,000 per hectare).”

Salmond believes birds and nature are the best teachers.

“The most compelling part is seeing what happens when you give the land and the forest half a chance to recover. If a seed doesn’t take, it’s not meant to grow there. So you don’t have the problem of buying plants from nurseries and putting them in the wrong places.

“You’re saving money, time and effort and working with the natural systems instead of trying to tell them what to do.”

As part of a three-year funded project, 31 seed islands have been dotted across Waikereru in a highly controlled experiment.

“Planting these concentrated areas of native trees means the plots can be monitored closely, while pest and weed control around the islands can also be done.

“The latest report card shows the seed islands are, literally and figuratively, bearing fruit.”

Kereru (wood pigeon) poop full of seeds. Photo / Tony Wills

“At the rate they’re growing within the sheltered kānuka-dominated forest, it’s hoped they’ll soon be mature enough to provide the birds and wind with seeds to disperse far and wide.

“It’s wonderful to see what comes back.

“Birds aren’t the only ones benefiting from this experiment. Providing the conditions for nature to bounce back can profoundly impact the whole ecosystem.”

Salmond said long-lived trees in temperate rainforests across the country and at Waikereru remained among the best in the world for storing carbon dioxide.

“Their intertwined root networks also hold the land together, providing much better erosion control than pine plantations.

“You have indigenous forest instead of pine plantations, lots of biodiversity, clean streams, beautiful landscapes, microclimates, and not all that sediment and forestry waste going downstream and ending up in the ocean.”

Waikereru was now home to a multitude of creatures, including insects, butterflies, moths, lizards, and long-tailed bats, she said.

“What’s amazing is what comes back.

“All of a sudden things pop up you had no idea were there or had arrived.”

Waikereru in 1988 (left) and the view in 2023 showing the re-establishment of native forest cover.

“Just recently, they found a carnivorous snail at the top of the hills, which no one knew was in Tairāwhiti before.”

New plants and trees have also taken root.

“Underneath the trees in Longbush Reserve it used to be bare . . . now it’s just full of life.

“Rare native orchids just turn up out of nowhere, as well as mataī trees that we didn’t have before.

“However, while the seed island experiment shows early promise, it will be years before its success is secure,” Salmond said.

“With funding set to expire this year, Waikereru is applying for funding to maintain the progress made so far.

“We need to keep the trial going so that those trees can fruit and the birds can start doing their work.”