Replacing Missing Species

The Bush used to contain a range of species of trees, other plants, birds, insects and waterlife.  This was radically changed after the settlers came.  Trees were felled in great numbers, alien plants and animals came in, and the trees, other plants and birds suffered enormously.  Insect and waterlife suffered as a result of that.

It is impossible to set the Bush back to exactly how it was in 1840.  No-one made careful notes at the time.

Some species cannot be easily re-introduced, particularly birds.  Trees and other plants stay where you put them, and they are pretty good at getting their food and water from the soil.  Birds and insects need all the right things to be there in order to survive.  If any one is missing or in poor supply then they either die or move.

Some species of plants are known to have been there in 1840.  Some are there in small quantities and we know that a healthy bush has them in greater abundance.  These are the things we want to concentrate on, to further their recovery and prosperity in their birthright home.