Sampling by air to measure forest seeding or mast
Channel: Department of Conservation
Date: 2019-04-08

Results from extensive seed sampling across New Zealand point to Autumn 2019 being the biggest beech mast for more than 40 years. Such heavy forest seeding provides a bonanza of food for native species but also fuels rodent and stoat plagues. This poses a serious threat to native birds and other wildlife as predator populations build up next spring and summer.