Biodiversity
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| Photos courtesy of DOC Staff |
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Welcome to Wairarapa Biodiversity
These pages combine biodiversity information for the three
Wairarapa district councils; Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa.
Grouping all the regions information in one place we
hope will:
·
Make it easier for you to find the information you want
·
Raise awareness about our
regions’ amazing indigenous
biodiversity and it’s plight
·
Provide links to
projects in your area and options for you to
get involved
·
Provide links to agencies who fund projects which protect indigenous
biodiversity
·
Facilitate in the sharing of knowledge, information and experiences
Everyone can do something to help protect, preserve
and restore our native biodiversity. Any contribution, however great or
small, is important. Keeping your cat inside at night time, helping with
beach, stream and river clean-ups, volunteering on a committee, planting
native trees or trapping pests like possums, rats, ferrets and hedgehogs all
help to make a difference. Encouraging your friends to join you is a great
idea too!
Did you know?
There are roughly 4.3 million people in New Zealand and only 90 Kakapo
in the whole world. |
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| New Zealand Fur seals - DOC |
Biodiversity - What is it?
Biodiversity is the word biological shortened to ‘bio’ and then added to
‘diversity’. Biodiversity describes the variety
of all biological
life or living things.
Biodiversity encompasses:
·
all the different species in a particular area (plants, animals,
fungi, insects and micro organisms);
· the genes each of these species
contain;
· the different habitats and
ecosystems created by species e.g. wetlands, forests, streams, sand dunes,
shrublands, drylands and estuaries.
Did you know?
Kiwi are unusual in that their nostrils are at the
tip of their beak, while other birds have their nostrils at the base of the
beak. A birds beak is measured from the tip of their beak to their nostrils.
Its is sometimes said that Kiwis have the shortest beak! |
Why
Biodiversity Matters
 |
| Katipo Spider - DOC |
Biodiversity is New Zealand’s biological wealth. Much of the production of
the New Zealand economy is based on the use of biological resources and the
economy benefits from the services provided by healthy ecosystems. These
include the production of raw materials (principally food from the sea and
fibre from the land), purifying water, decomposing waste, cycling nutrients,
creating and maintaining soils, providing pollination and pest control and
regulating local and global climates.
In
other words, Biodiversity is essential for the healthy functioning of
ecosystems. These ecosystems underpin the natural services vital for
continued human existence and well-being. This includes the air we breathe,
the water we drink and the soils that provide fibre, food and timber.
Historically, these
ecological services and benefits have been taken for granted because they
are provided free by nature. Unfortunately, due to the accepted practices
of the day, many of our indigenous species are under threat as a result of
those practices. Some of New Zealand’s indigenous species are now extinct
while others are acutely threatened.
However, there are some great projects are underway on both private and
public land to protect remaining areas and improve existing habitats so that
native plants and animals have a chance at long term survival.
Did you know?
Brachyglottis compacta, also know as the Castlepoint daisy or the
Castlepoint groundsel or 'the piecrust plant', is an endemic shrub found
at Castlepoint that grows naturally nowhere else in the world. |
New Zealand’s
Biodiversity
 |
| Potentilla - DOC |
New Zealand's biodiversity is the inspiration for our national icons,
the kiwi, silver fern and koru. No other country can claim these icons as
theirs. These iconic species along with a large portion of our biodiversity
are unique, or endemic, to New Zealand, which makes them special to New
Zealand and to global biodiversity. These endemic species have a high
conservation value because of their uniqueness and because they cannot be
conserved in nature anywhere else in the world.
It also means if they are lost here, they are lost to
the world, unlike many species in other countries. In New Zealand, about
90% of insects, 80% of trees, ferns and flowering plants, 25% of bird
species, all 60 reptile species, four remaining frogs and two species of
bat, are found nowhere else on earth. Only South Africa and Australia have
as high levels of endemism.
Did you know?
Native frogs hatch from the egg as froglets. They go through the
tadpole stage in the egg. Native frogs do not croak. 35 frog
species around the world become extinct every year. |
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| Woodrose - DOC |
Wairarapa’s Biodiversity
Prior to human settlement, New Zealand was characterised by indigenous
biodiversity that had evolved in isolation, creating many habitats,
ecosystems and species.
The Wairarapa was made up
of many different types of habitat and ecosystem; wetlands, open spaces,
tussock lands, sand dunes, forests and drylands are all part of the
landscape to varying degrees. These habitats provide many opportunities for
Wairarapa’s endemic and native species to live and breed.
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| North Island weka - DOC |
The Wairarapa Plains area
was characterised by variety. The whole area was covered with grass, swamp,
scrub and forest all combined together like patchwork. There were large
patches of kahikatea in the drier areas with patches of matai forest, raupo,
harakeke and sedges or rush swamps in wetter areas. The rivers were
abundant with eels, kokopu, koaro and other endemic species with Lake
Wairarapa and its environs forming the largest wetland systems in the Lower
North Island. There were also abundant numbers of lizard and frog
species spread around the region.
The Ruamahanga River ran
right through the Wairarapa Plains, sustaining the area with its frequent
floods and even changing meanderings. The frequent widespread flooding of
the Ruamahunga has been restricted with the planting of willows to stabilise
the banks, so the extensive wetlands which used to be a feature of the
Wairarapa, have now been drained, leaving only remnant but very significant
pockets of the original vegetation and wetland habitats.
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| White Rock - T Madden |
The Wairarapa has a varied
coastal environment too. There are sandy beaches bordered by dunes; rugged
and rocky shorelines that steeply ascend to the mountainous country
immediately behind; estuaries which form a pathway through the hills, across
the beaches and foreshore to the sea. The coastal area also has a number of
special features like Lake Onoke, White Rock (pictured), Castle Rock,
Honeycomb Rock and Te Humenga Point. These areas all have their own native
ecosystems and contain regionally threatened plants and animals. There is a
daisy found at Castlepoint which grows naturally no where else in New
Zealand or the world.
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| Wairarapa farmland |
The Wairarapa today is very
different with farming, forestry, viticulture, cropping and urban
development. Primary production is dependent on introduced
biodiversity and is the mainstay of the economic prosperity of the
Wairarapa. We need to acknowledge the importance of introduced biodiversity
while incorporating indigenous biodiversity into the modified environment.
The challenge for the Wairarapa is to find the balance between the benefits
provided by introduced species and the threats some of them pose for
indigenous biodiversity. At present, the balance is
in favour of introduced
species.
Did you know?
The New Zealand Glowworm is endemic. The Latin
name for the glowworm is Arachnocampa luminosa. 'Aracho' for its web
weaving skills, 'campa' because of its grub like qualities and 'luminosa'
because of the light it emits. A combination of the kidneys' waste
product and oxygen form the light in a glowworm. |
Threats to Biodiversity in the Wairarapa
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| Banana passionfruit - GWRC |
The areas of indigenous
biodiversity left are now much reduced in size and number of species and
under threat from a number of sources. We are lucky in the Wairarapa
to have been a part of the Tb Vector Control programme. The success of this
programme has meant that there are very few possums remaining. The benefit
to the native vegetation has been phenomenal in terms of growth and the bird
life it now supports. However, there are other plant and animal pests that
need to be controlled as they are a threat not only to agriculture but also
to our indigenous biodiversity. Possums, rats, rabbits, stoats, ferrets and
cats are the key animal pests. In the plant world, old man’s beard,
Japanese honeysuckle, German, English and Cape ivy, Tradescantia, Banana
passionfruit are the main culprits.
Not just confronted with invasive weeds and predatory
pests our biodiversity has to cope with habitat destruction. This includes
but is not limited to deforestation, soil erosion, pollution and drainage of
wetlands and swamps.
While
the New Zealand land mass has had a dramatic past over many millions of
years, the arrival of humans less than 1,000 years ago brought major and
rapid change. Habitats were cleared and new species were introduced, many
of which became pests and subsequently fed voraciously on many native plants
and animals which had evolved with out such pressures.
Did you know?
Wild pigs eat native snails and are believed
to have played a role in the extinction of several bird species. |
Wairarapa Projects
There are many projects in the Wairarapa that volunteers can get
involved in. Check out the one nearest you.
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| Fantail on nest - D Aldersley |
If you know of or are
involved in an environmental project that isn’t noted here please do let me
know –
biodiversity@mstn.govt.nz
Did you know?
Long fin eels are endemic. Long fin eels can
live for up to 80 years and only breed once at the end of their life.
So, if you harvest an eel, it cannot breed. They spend their life
upstream, only making their way downstream towards the end of their
life. They head out to sea (switching from fresh water to salt water),
swim up the Pacific Ocean, somewhere east of Fiji, where they finally
breed. The elvers then float on the currents, for up to 18 months,
before reaching New Zealand. Long fin eels are classified by DOC as
threatened but because they are a commercial catch they don't appear on
the list of endangered species. |
Legislation affecting Biodiversity in the
Wairarapa
The key legislation and policy affecting biodiversity are:
· Convention on Biological Diversity;
· Resource Management Act 1991 and subsequent amendments;
· New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2000;
· Wairarapa Combined District Plan 2008
Under the Resource
Management Act 1991 (RMA) and subsequent amendments, local authorities must
recognise and provide for the protection of significant indigenous
vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna. Protecting and
maintaining indigenous biodiversity is an explicit function of territorial
local authorities and must be provided for in district plans.
Did you know?
Kawakawa has successfully been brewed into a
rather tasty beer and its leaves are used in Titoki Liqueur. Kawakawa is
related to the Fijian Kava but has none of its narcotic qualities. |
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| Kereru - DOC |
Draft Wairarapa
Biodiversity Strategy
The three Wairarapa
District Councils are required by law to protect significant indigenous
flora and fauna and in particular on private land. The Wairarapa District
Councils are currently writing a draft Biodiversity Strategy for the
region,. This strategy is the mechanism by which the councils can achieve
their legal obligations under the RMA. The draft Biodiversity Strategy will
establish goals and a programme of action for identifying and managing
natural habitats, methods for enhancing indigenous biodiversity and for
prioritising actions for protecting significant natural areas.
Did you know?
The extinct Haast's eagle was the largest
eagle on Earth. It had a 3 metre wingspan and preyed on moa. |
Ecosourcing Native Plants
Ecosourcing means using
plants grown from local seeds. Using ecosourced plants and seeds is now
considered best practice for restoration and enhancement projects and has
the following advantages:
 |
| Muehlenbeckia - DOC |
·
It helps maintain the unique local characteristics of the
native plants in your area i.e. resistance to frost, variation in leaf shape
and flowering times
·
Protects the local character of our natural plant communities
from being swamped by plant forms form other areas
·
Ecosourced plants have a greater chance of growing
successfully because they are adapted to the local conditions
It is preferable to use
seeds if doing the propagating yourself, as plants grown from seed are all
slightly different from their parents and from each other.
Plants grown from cuttings are all exactly the same as the plant the cutting
was taken from. Therefore, seeds give a better genetic variability.
In the
Wairarapa ecosourced plants are available from Akura Nurseries, Norfolk Road
Nurseries, Trees 4 Wairarapa.
Did you know?
Shrubby tororaro, Muehlenbeckia astonii,
is at its northern most limit in the Wellington/Wairarapa region. Only
about 50 individual plants survive in the wild in the North Island. It
is considered to be nationally endangered. |
Information and Funding Links Information
Did you know?
Tuis have two voice boxes which means they can sing a duet with
themselves |
Funding
Biodiversity Condition and Advice Funds
Generally funds area
available for up to $60,000 per project per year for a maximum term of 3
years.
Advice Fund
This fund supports the
provision of information and advice to land managers to assist them in
managing indigenous biodiversity. Projects that inspire land holders or
groups to improve biodiversity on private land are funded. Methods of
providing information and advice could include field days, ecological
reports, publications, wananga, training, seminars.
Condition Fund
The Biodiversity Condition Fund supports projects that aim to improve and
maintain the condition of areas of indigenous vegetation, species and
habitats (including wetlands and water bodies). The fund particularly
supports projects that enhance and maintain biodiversity on private
land, particularly areas under legal protection, through activities such as
fencing, pest weed and animal control and restoration planting.
Eligibility: Private land
only (includes Maori land)
Who can apply: Private
Landowners, community groups, NGOs
Further information:
http://www.biodiversity.govt.nz/land/nzbs/pvtland/condition.html
Community Conservation
Fund
This fund supports
community groups involved in biodiversity restoration projects on public
land. Grants of between $5,000 to $40,000 will be allocated in three funding
rounds during the two-year life of the fund.
Who may apply: established
community groups.
Further information:
www.doc.govt.nz/communityfund
Nature Heritage Fund
This is a contestable fund for the voluntary
protection of indigenous ecosystems on private land. To receive assistance,
proposals need to meet as many of the following criteria as possible:
Representativeness, Sustainability, Landscape integrity, Amenity and
utility.
Who can apply; private landowners, local and regional
government agencies, professional and community based organisations, local,
regional and national ‘umbrella’ organisations, central government
departments and agencies.
This fund has 4 rounds a year. Closing dates are 10
February, 30 April, 31 July and 31 October.
Further information:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=39023
Nga Whenua Rahui
Nga Whenua Rahui
This is a contestable fund for the protection of
indigenous ecosystems on Maori land. The fund is for the placing of a
kawenata (covenants), Maori Reservation areas and fencing.
Who can apply:
Organisations representative of hapu and iwi can apply.
Further information:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=43144 Matauranga Kura Taio
Fund
A contestable fund
supporting hapu/iwi initiatives to retain and promote transitional Maori
knowledge and its use in biodiversity management.
Who can apply:
Organisations representative of hapu and
iwi can apply.
Further information:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=43160
Sustainable Management
Fund
This fund supports
community groups, iwi, businesses and local government to undertake
practical actions that produce long-term environmental benefits. The
minimum amount is $10,000 and the maximum is $200,000 per financial year.
Applications open in
October 2008 and close on 22 January 2009.
Further information:
www.smf.govt.nz
QEII National Trust
This Trust assists
landowners to protect significant natural and cultural features on their
land in perpetuity through open space covenants.
Further information:
www.openspace.org.nz
Banrock Station
Banrock Station are an
Australian wine company that sponsor wetlands throughout the world. To
check out funding information email
info@wetlandcare.org.nz or
info@ducks.org.nz.
Website addresses:
www.wetlandcare.org.nz or
www.ducks.org.nz.
Environment and Heritage
Grants - Internal Affairs
Internal Affairs provides
grant funding from Lotto. It supports projects that promote, protect and
conserve New Zealand’s natural, physical and cultural heritage. Native
regeneration, pest eradication and captive breeding programmes are suitable
projects.
Further information:
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.NSF/wpg_URL/Services-Lottery-Grants-Environment-and-Heritage?OpenDocument,
phone 0800 824 824 or email
grantsonline@dia.govt.nz
The Lottery Significant Projects Fund – Internal
Affairs
This
fund provides grants to enable the completion of community projects with a
total value of at least $1 million and related to conservation and the
environment. To be eligible for Lottery funding, projects must be for
community purposes. Funding is for capital expenditure projects only and
projects must offer benefits at a wider community, regional and/or national
level and be significant in scope and nature.
Who can
apply: Those who have had all other avenues of funding declined and this is
the last resort.
Further
information:
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Lottery-Grants-Lottery-Significant-Projects-Fund?OpenDocument
or email
grantsonline@dia.govt.nz or freephone 0800 824 824 (New Zealand only).
World Wildlife Habitat
Protection Fund
This fund provides
assistance for community groups to restore, protect and enhance important
biodiversity sites – waterways, mountains, bush, marine and coastal
environments. Funding requests of between $2,000 and $20,000 are considered.
Who can apply; local
habitat protection groups.
Further information:
http://www.wwf.org.nz/index.php/new_zealand_conservation/grants/funding_for_local_projects
NZ
Game Bird Habitat Trust
The main purpose of this
trust is to distribute funding for the development and enhancement of
wetland habitat for the benefit of game birds and other wetland
inhabitants. Projects can be on private or public land.
Who can apply: Groups and
individuals.
Further information:
funding closes around June.
http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/Environment/environmentGBHtrust.aspx
The Ron Greenwood Environmental Trust
This trust supports the preservation, conservation
and protection of natural resources of New Zealand, notably native wildlife,
birdlife marine life, geology, atmosphere, waters, flora and fauna and the
natural environment generally, including the promotion of a wiser
understanding and care of such resources in the interests of all who live in
or visit New Zealand.
Who may apply? Groups, particularly for specific
one-off projects in any particular year of application.
Further information:
http://www.naturespace.co.nz/funding.htm#greenwood or The Ron Greenwood
Environmental Trust, PO BOX 10 359, Wellington
JS Watson Conservation Trust
The objectives of the James Sharon Watson
Conservation Trust are for the conservation of the flora and fauna and
natural features of New Zealand, the advancement of knowledge in these
matters by way of research, literary contribution, essay, articles, or other
effort and generally the education of the public to give them an
understanding and a love of the earth on which they live.
Who may apply? Groups or individuals with a maximum
of $4000 to an individual.
Further Information:
http://www.naturespace.co.nz/funding.htm#watson
Honda Tree Fund
For every new car sold, Honda funds the planting of ten New Zealand native
trees. The TreeFund assists in the restoration of biodiversity, erosions
control, water runoff control, planting for beautification, coastal
protection and restoration planting, urban stream enhancement.
Who may apply: groups and individuals.
Further information:
http://www.honda.co.nz/site/environ/treefund.html
Terrestrial and
Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS)
This programme supports
the conservation of New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity, by increasing
awareness of and access to fundamental data and information about
terrestrial and freshwater biota and biodiversity. The next invitation for
applications is anticipated in June 2009.
Further information:
http://www.biodiversity.govt.nz/land/nzbs/tfbis/tfbis
National Wetland Trust Golden Plover Award
This award is up to a value
of $1,000 and is open to a student undertaking
original research at Masters level at any New Zealand University on a topic
related to wetlands.
Further information: Award candidates should
contact the Scholarships Office of the University of Waikato or see
http://www.waikato.ac.nz/research/scholarships/ or
http://www.wetlandtrust.org.nz/latestupdates.html
Take Care - Greater
Wellington Regional Council
Through Take Care , the council provides
financial support and specialist assistance to community groups for projects
that that contribute to the health and restoration of our region's most
threatened ecosystems, including revegetation and weed control in the
following habitats rivers and streams, wetlands and lakes, estuaries, dunes,
coastal escarpments.
Who can apply: Groups
Further information:
http://www.gw.govt.nz/section1022.cfm
Fundview
Fundview is a database of community funders
throughout New Zealand that can be searched according to region and city.
It is a useful source of community groups that also have an environmental
focus. The information includes application requirements, criteria, closing
dates, funding levels and other relevant information. Access is limited to
subscribers. However, it can be viewed for free in:
Masterton:
The Citizens Advice Bureau, Kahungnunu Ki Wairarapa,
Masterton District Council, Masterton Public Library, Rangitane O Wairarapa,
REAP
Carterton:
Carterton District
Council, Carterton Public Library, Safer Community Council
South Wairarapa:
Featherston Library
Greytown Library
Martinborough Library
Further information:
www.fis.org.nz
Did you know?
Kiwi mate for life but live in separate
burrows. The female lays an egg which can weigh up to 25-30% of her
bodyweight. It is the male that incubates the egg. |
Publications
Noted here are some useful
publications which have had an influence on the Draft Wairarapa Biodiversity
Strategy or which contain more detailed information on biodiversity in
general.
|
Publication /
Document |
Description |
Link |
|
The New Zealand
Biodiversity Strategy – Our Chance to Turn the Tide Whakakohukihukitia
Te Tai Roroku Ki Te Tai Oranga, Feb. 2000 |
A national strategy
whose purpose is the establish a framework for action to conserve,
sustainably use and manage New Zealand’s biodiversity. |
View PDF |
|
Turning the Tide? A
review of the first five years of the NZ Biodiversity Strategy – the
Synthesis Report, Nov. 2006 |
An independent review
summarising the past five years achievements including funding and
programmes established. |
View PDF |
|
Protecting our Places –
National Priorities for Protecting Rare and Threatened Native
Biodiversity on Private Land. April 2007 |
Statement of National
Priorities for the protection of indigenous biodiversity on private
land. |
View PDF |
|
Protecting our Places –
Information about the Statement of National Priorities for Protecting
Rare and Threatened Native Species on Private Land. April 2007 |
A support document for
the above publication. It contains the technical information about each
of the 4 national priorities. |
View PDF |
|
Eastern Wairarapa
Ecological District Protected Natural (PNA) Areas Report. Feb. 2005 |
The results of an
ecological survey completed for DOC on areas identified and recommended
for protection in the Eastern Wairarapa Ecological District. |
View PDF |
|
Wairarapa Plains
Ecological District Protected Natural Areas (PNA) Report. Jan. 2000 |
The results of an
ecological survey completed for DOC on areas identified and recommended
for protection in the Wairarapa Plains Ecological District. |
View PDF |
|
Threatened Environments
Classification Maps |
Maps showing the
classification of land in the Wairarapa region according to the
Threatened Environments Classification (TEC) Tool. |
View Map |
Glossary
Biological Diversity:
(Biodiversity): The variability among living organisms from all sources
including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the
ecological complexes of which they are part. This includes diversity within
species and of ecosystems.
Conservation: The
preservation and protection of natural and historic resources for the
purpose of maintaining their intrinsic values, providing for their
appreciation and recreational enjoyment by the public and safeguarding the
options of future generations.
Convention on Biological
Diversity: An international agreement on biological diversity that came
into force in December 1993. The objectives of the Convention are the
conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of its components
and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the
utilisation of genetic resources.
Ecological district:
A local part of New Zealand where the features of geology, topography,
climate and biology plus the broad cultural pattern inter-relate to protect
a characteristic landscape and range of biological communities unique to
that area. Two hundred an sixty-eight ecological districts in new Zealand
have been identified and mapped.
Ecosystem: An
interacting system of living and non-living parts such as sunlight, air,
water, minerals and nutrients. Ecosystems can be small and short-lived, for
example, water-filled tree holes or rotting logs on a forest floor, or large
and long-lived such as forests or lakes.
Endemic species: An
indigenous species which breeds only within a specified region or locality
and is unique to that area. New Zealand’s endemic species include birds
that breed only in New Zealand, but which my disperse to other countries in
the non-breeding season or as sub adults.
Feral species: A
domesticated species that has become wild.
Genetic diversity:
See biological diversity
Ground Truthing: See
Survey
Indicator: A measure
(for example distance from a goal, a target threshold or benchmark) against
which some aspects of performance can be assessed. The use of an indicator
enables the significance of a statistic to be determined for example, the
extent to which an objective is met.
Indicator species: A
plant or animal whose presence or absence is indicative of a particular
habitat community or set of environmental conditions.
Indigenous Species:
A plant or native species which occurs naturally in New Zealand.
Indigenous vegetation:
Any local indigenous plant community containing throughout its growth the
complement of native species and habitats normally associated with that
vegetation type or having the potential to develop these characteristics.
It includes vegetation with these characteristics that has been regenerated
with human assistance following disturbance, but excludes plantations and
vegetation that have been established for commercial purposes.
Introduced species
(exotic): A plant or animal species which has been brought to New
Zealand by humans, either by accident or design.
Invasive species: An
animal pest or weed that can adversely affect indigenous species and
ecosystems by altering genetic variation within species or affecting the
survival of species or the quality or sustainability of natural
communities. In New Zealand, invasive animal pests or weeds are almost
always species that have been introduced to the country.
Invertebrate: An
animal without a backbone or spinal column. Insects, spiders worms, slaters
and many marine animals such as corals, sponges and jellyfish are examples
of invertebrates. Invertebrates makeup the vast majority of all animal
species. Only fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals are not
invertebrates.
Iwi: Maori tribal
grouping
Monitoring: the act
of monitoring change in the state, number or presence of characteristics of
something
Native species: see
indigenous species
Natural habitats and
ecosystems: Habitats and ecosystems with a dominant or significant
indigenous character. They do no include modified areas, such as farm or
forestry land, where the indigenous vegetation has largely been replaced,
although these areas may still provide important habitat for indigenous
species.
Protected area: A
geographically defined area that is protected primarily for nature
conservation purposes or to maintain biodiversity values, using any of a
range of legal mechanisms that provide long-term security of either tenure
or land use purpose. It may be privately or publicly owned.
RAMSAR Convention:
An international convention to protect internationally important wetlands.
It was agreed in 1971 and signed New Zealand in 1976.
Recommended Area for
Protection (RAP): An area that has been identified as important to the
conservation of a natural habitat or ecosystem or which has rare species. A
RAP is also an area that should be protected using any of a range of legal
mechanisms that provide long-term security of either tenure or land use
purpose.
Representiveness:
The extent to which areas selected for included for protection are capable
of reflecting the known biological diversity and ecological pattern and
processes of the ecological community or ecosystem concerned, or the extent
to which populations represent or exemplify the range of genetic diversity
of a taxonomic unit.
Restoration: The
active intervention and management of degraded biotic communities, landforms
and landscapes in order to restore biological character, ecological and
physical processes and their cultural and visual qualities.
Significant Natural Area
(SNA): A Significant Natural Area has been surveyed and identified as
having outstanding indigenous vegetation and habitat for indigenous flora
and fauna.
Species: A group of
organisms capable of interbreeding freely with each other but not with
members of other species.
Survey:
Systematically observing, counting or measuring characteristics at a defined
location over a defined period of time.
Sustainable use: the
use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does
not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby
maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and
future generations.
Threatened species:
A species or community that is vulnerable, endangered or presumed extinct.
DOC has assessed threatened species in New Zealand (using criteria relating
to taxonomic distinctiveness, status of the species, threats facing the
species, vulnerability of the species and human values) and ranked them into
three categories (A, B, C) of priority for conservation action.
Vascular Plants:
include ferns, flowering plants and trees, but do not include mosses or
liverworts
Vertebrate: Animal
with backbone; amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and fish. See
invertebrate
If you have a story to share, would like something
added or have feedback please contact Katie on 06 370 6300 or email
biodiversity@mstn.govt.nz.
Wairarapa District
Councils Biodiversity Coordinator
Katie Underwood
Masterton District Council
P O Box 444
Masterton
06 370 6269 |
