Ecological and hydrological aspects of global warming in New Zealand

Scenarios for climate patterns in New Zealand for AD2030 suggest significant changes from those prevailing at the present time. In some respects they may be similar to patterns occurring 7-9000 years BP. One of the critical areas of current research is into timberline dynamics and ongoing studies suggest significant short term responses to climate warming. Soil regime and erosion responses are discussed in relation to New Zealand's inherently unstable montane environment. Social responses, however, are also an important aspect which must be taken into account in moves to ameliorate changes caused by climate shifts, and these are briefly discussed. It is suggested that an important aspect of monitoring and researching alpine climate change should be collaborative research involving both Australia and New Zealand and utilising the contrasting features of their alpine systems.