Soil Distribution and Landscape Dynamics, Camp Creek, Westland

J.B.J. Harrison

Forest Research Institute, Christchurch

In steepland areas of Westland, South Island, New Zealand, landforms, soil, and vegetation patterns are closely related. Landforms develop in response to geomorphic processes which have been operating for thousands of years. The rate at which different geomorphic processes operate varies temporally and spatially, and this variation is reflected in the distribution of soil and vegetation communities.

The landforms reflect the influences of rapid uplift, high intensity rainfalls, former glacial advances, and possible marine transgression. The geomorphology of the drainage basin was used to develop a hierarchical landscape classification in which relatively homogeneous landscape units were defined. These units are undergoing similar rates of erosion and deposition. Distinctive patterns of soil and vegetation communities are associated with each landscape unit.