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Canterbury’s braided rivers are home to unique native plant communities especially adapted to growing in the challenging environment of shifting gravels, extreme temperatures and limited nutrients. This natural vegetation is often low-lying and sparse because of the dynamic morphology of braided rivers, providing the perfect habitats for braided river birds, reptiles, and invertebrates.
Many invasive plants were brought into New Zealand by European settlers for agricultural or garden use. Some of these plants – willow, gorse, broom, and Russell lupin – have become invasive weeds along braided rivers, changing the natural conditions and specialised ecology.
Gorse and broom infestation causing incised single channel in a previously braided river bed, completely destroying the ‘braided river’ morphology