Tāne’s Tree Trust

Archive Database

The ecology and ethnobotany of karaka

Document Type
Thesis (MSc)
Author
Stowe, C.J.
Project Creator
University of Otago
Current Holder
University of Otago
Accession Number
TTT002061
Old Accession Number
TTT000061
Location
University of Otago Libraries Botany Dept
Other Reference Number
7LF S
Period
ca 2001 - 03
Volume
xii, 119 leaves : ill. (some col.), maps ; 30 cm.
Content
Full Title:The ecology and ethnobotany of karaka (Corynocarpus Laevigatus). 2003
Source
Not known
General Note
(These notes on library entry)Historically there has been considerable debate over the origin of karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus J.R. et G. Forst.) In contrast, the extent and importance of pre-historic arboriculture in New Zealand has received little attention in the literature. This study reviews the ecology and ethnobotony of karaka and investigates its cultural and natural biogeography.Maori migration traditions frequently state that karaka was introduced to New Zealand. However, molecular evidence and finds of fossil seeds of the late Oligocene age show that karaka is endemic to New Zealand. Therefore, Maori traditions probably relate to the translocation and cultivation of karaka within the New Zealand region, for which there is abundant anecdotal evidence. Karaka fruits were a valuable addition to the Maori diet and were likely to have functioned as a replacement for traditional Polynesian precedents and entailed a rigorous regime of steaming and soaking to rid the kernal of its toxic elements. There is data to suggest selection for fruit size and/or nutritional value in cultivated karaka populations.A database of karaka distribution was compiled and populations classified as ’cultural’ or ’unknown’ on the basis of spatial association with archaeological sites. Groves classed as cultural were assumed to be cultivated or translocated by pre-historic Maori. Lack of effective seed dispersal by birds and the longevity of the trees, mean that the contemporary distribution of karaka provides a reasonable template for the extent of its prehistoric translocation and cultivation within New Zealand.Karaka has a distinct cultural and natural biogeography. The greatest overlap between cultural and unknown trees occurred in the northern North Island while the majority of trees in the lower North Island, and all trees in the South Island were classed as cultural. Prior to the arrival of Polynesians in New Zealand, karaka was probably restricted in distribution to the Northland/Auckland region. Its natural range was then extended by human translocation and cultivation to the lower North Island, South Island, Kermadec Islands, Chatham Islands and many other in-shore islands off New Zealand.Climate variables were fitted to the distribution data and discriminant analysis used to further test the classification of karaka into cultural and unknown populations. Significant differences were found in climatic parameters between groups. Cultural karaka were found in enviroments with greater solar radiation seasonality, higher evaporative demands and greater soil moisture deficits than unknown karaka. The climate profile of karaka is biased towards the same environmental correlates of pa and pit site locations, further indicating that karaka was a cultivated tree crop.It is concluded that the importance and extent of karaka arboriculture, and probably that of other endemic tree species currently restricted to the northern North Island of cultural karaka is biased towards the same environmental correlates of pa and pit site locations, further indicating that karaka was a cultivated tree crop.The extensive translocation of karaka by Maori means that it has the potential, with the application of molecular methods, to serve as a marker for prehistoric settlement and mobility. Preliminary work was begun on this aspect and a predictive model is presented of the possible relationships within and between populations of karaka.It is concluded that the importance and extent of karaka arboriculture, and probably that of other endemic tree species, has previously been overlooked. This has implications for our view of certain plant communities as unmodified by humans, and provides an impetus to protect surface vegetation as an integral part of some prehistoric archaeological sites.
Publish
Not Known
Researchers
Christopher James Stowe
Security
Medium
Species
karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus)
Keywords
Ecology, Ethnobotany, Karaka, Maori
Subject Areas