This batholith also forms the substratum of Abel Tasman National Park in its northern reach. See also Rocks of the New Zealand mountains , Abel Tasman National Park Landforms Geological history and the action of erosion on such diverse rocks has produced a variety of landforms throughout the park. On the west coast the Oparara River flows through limestone arches, in luxuriant rainforest. Other elevated plateaux include the 100 Acre and 1000 Acre plateaux. Glacial landforms, remnants of the ice ages, are also significant in the park.
Red beech is the dominant species.
On the west coast stands of Nikau palms give the forest a distinctively tropical character. However not all areas are forested, and both Mt Arthur Tablelands and the Gouland Downs are wide open red tussock plains. The diversity of rock types, soils, landforms and climatic conditions in Kahurangi National Park result in a wide variey of ecological conditions and corresponding diversity of plants. The mountains of north-west Nelson, included in Kahurangi National Park, are one of the five centres of plant evolution and endemism on the mainland. Seventy-one species are found nowhere else.