Senior+Botanical+Unit

 **Senior Botanical Study**

As part of their work in science, senior students are asked to investigate the special characteristics of New Zealand plants and animals using a range of techniques and making informed social and ethical judgments about their findings. Gabriel’s Gully offers a unique environment for students to investigate the interaction between the native forest and exotic plants introduced by early miners. There is an opportunity to compare the Mäori use of native plants with the miners’ use of introduced species for timber, fences, food and beautification. The social significance of these plants presents some interesting challenges for a long-term management of the reserve. With strong interest from local people and support from the Department of Conservation, this project fits in with the themes of authenticity and an action-oriented approach.  ·  Comparison of Gabriel’s Gully and Munro's Gully  ·  Transect of specific sites in Gabriel or Munro’s Gully  ·  Developing and implementing a management plan. ||  ·  David Mules  ||  ·  Department of Conservation  ·  Otago Orienteering Club  ||  ·  Orienteering guide  ·  Implements for weeding and planting  ·  Educational resources  ||  ·  Produce identification guide  ·  Production Orienteering map, etc.  ||  ·  Research equipment  || =An Environmental and Social Values Approach to Botanical Heritage = The concept of conservation values is replacing previous definitions of forest types such as primary forest, regenerating forest, logging forest etc. Identifying conservation values leads to a more rational approach to decision making for maintaining and enhancing forest areas. All forests contain environmental and social values: ·   Wildlife habitat ·   Watershed protection ·      Archaeological sites Conservation values were first developed for use in forest certification but are increasingly being used for: ·   Conservation and natural resource planning ·    Landscape mapping ·    Decision making by investors and donors
 * ** Activities:  ** ||  ·   Orienteering, identification of key species and uses
 * ** Key People:  ** ||  ·   Sandra Dalziel
 * ** Groups:  ** || <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol"> ·   Lawrence Heritage Education Centre
 * ** Resources:  ** || <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol"> ·   Plant identification booklets
 * ** To Do List:  ** || <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol"> ·   Prepare educational resources
 * ** Costs  ** || <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol"> ·   Educational resources

The Six Conservation Values:
These six conservation values can be significant at a global, national and/or regional level. They are: 1.   Forest   areas containing biodiversity values 2.   Forest   areas containing viable populations of the majority of species 3.   Forest   areas containing rare or endangered species 4.   Forest   areas regulating essential ecosystem services (water catchments, erosion control, etc. ) 5.     Forest   areas fundamental to meeting local community needs 6.    Forest   areas of critical cultural, ecological, economic and/or religious significance to the local community These values guide the development of specific, detailed and clear interpretations of a particular forest. The presence and/or absence of specific features within each conservation value leads to specific measures in the future maintenance and/or enhancement of the forest. Such an analysis can also provide a baseline for future monitoring.

Botanical Heritage
Environmental and social values are not constant over time. For example, physical changes in adjacent sites can change the environmental value of an area. Social values also change over time. These factors need to be taken account of when determining the botanical heritage of a forest and when considering its future management. Furthermore, environmental and social values appropriate at one site may not be appropriate at another. For example, the significance of indigenous and exotic species will vary from site to site depending on the environmental and social values that pertain at the time.


 * __Resources for Teachers











__**