Dunard Inland Saline Wetland Management Area

Description: Saline area on flat terrace on Moutere Station. 1

Type/Class: Inland saline 2

Size: 3.1 ha

Altitude: 320 - 360 m above sea level

Approximate location: 3.3 km Northwest of the intersection of Brassknocker Road and Chatto Creek Springvale Road, Alexandra | NZTM (centre point): E1320140 N4993780

Regional Plan: Water for Otago | Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.37, Map F11

Territorial Authority: Central Otago District Council

Interactive map

Recorded Values

Value Description
A5 Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Scarce wetland type: native salt tolerant plants including Puccinellia sp., Atriplex buchananii and Ceratocephalus pungens, the native herb Acaena buchananii plus the threatened herb New Zealand mousetail (Myosurus minimus subsp. novae-zelandiae). 1, 8
Less than 18% of inland saline areas remain in Otago. 2
A1 - A3, A6 - A9 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information

  • Soil classified as Typic Solonetzic Semiarid Soil. 8

  • Invertebrate species recorded at site include Eurythecta zelaea and Orocrambus corruptus8

  • The Department of Conservation considers the Dunard Inland Saline Wetland Management Area to be a very important site for biological conservation. On a scale from 1 (highest value) to 11 (lowest value) the site was given a rank of 5, on the basis of its geographical extent, relative representativeness (the extent to which the site represents the assumed 1840 condition), diversity and rarity of biota and soils. 8

  • Potential threats to the wetland include fertiliser, oversowing, weeds and grazing by livestock. 8

  • Listed as an Area of Significant Indigenous Vegetation, Habitats of Indigenous Fauna and Wetlands in the Central Otago District Plan. 55

 

Aerial View of Dunard Inland Saline Wetland Management Area (March 2005)

 

References

1 Otago Regional Council (2004) Regional Plan: Water for Otago. Published by the Otago Regional Council, Dunedin.

2 Ausseil, A.G., Newsome, P., Johnson, P. (2008) Wetland Mapping in the Otago Region. Landcare Research Contract Report prepared for the Otago Regional Council.

8 Allen, R.B. and McIntosh, P.D. (1997) Guidelines for conservation of salt pans in Central Otago. Science for Conservation: 49. Published by the Department of Conservation, Wellington.

55 Central Otago District Council (2008) Central Otago District Plan, Published by Central Otago District Council, Alexandra.