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High Environment Sites

High environment sites occur above the altitude to which native trees are capable of growing (the natural ). Forest may or may not still be present to this altitude. Grasslands grow naturally above the treeline, and have usually been induced below it.

The altitude at which the natural treeline occurs depends on the temperature. At a South Island wide scale, this is reflected in an area's latitude, and distance from the sea.


if you are sure that the grassland is situated in a high environment i.e.above the natural treeline (or at a site where native trees do not naturally grow due to e.g. poor drainage, frost etc).





for more information on where the natural treeline would have occured at your site.

This will help you to clarify which environment the grassland is located.



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