Restoring the trees above and the fungi below

Restoration ecologists at Victoria University are looking for cost-effective ways to replant and restore forests and wetlands.

A few original forest trees remain at Wairio. The stakes mark planned planting spots photo Alison Ballance

Victoria University planting team in action photo Alison Ballance

The nodules on the roots of this plant are mycorrhizal fungi photo Alison Ballance

Garth Fabbro (right) planting native trees in a trial plot photo Alison Ballance

The Wairio wetland restoration area on the eastern shores of Lake Wairarapa photo Alison Ballance

Stephen Hartley checking on the growth of 5-year old plants photo Alison Ballance

Five year old plantings, at left, with native sedge in fore ground and lake Wairarapa in distance photo Alison Ballance

Slower growing 'focal plants' have been planted in amongst faster growing shelter plants photo Alison Ballance

This plant is in a mesh bag inside a pot that can be twisted around photo Alison Ballance

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.