The Ascarina decline and post‐glacial climatic change in New Zealand

Ascarina lucida was abundant in the west of both the North and the South Island between c . 10 000 and 5 000 yr b.p., but since then it has been severely and progressively reduced in quantity. It is now common only on the west coast of the South Island, and elsewhere occurs in scattered localities in the northern South Island and the North Island. Because Ascarina is frost and drought sensitive we suggest that an increased incidence of theso two factors is responsible for its elimination from previously suitable areas.