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Description: Extensive area of saltmarsh and swamp above coastal marine area south of Akatore Creek. 1
Type/Class: Swamp/saltmarsh, bog. 2, 103
Size: 54.9 ha.
Altitude: 0-10 m above sea level.
Approximate location: Intersection of Akatre Road and Akatore Creek Road, Taieri Beach | NZTM (centre point): E1381790 N4891290.
Regional Plan: Water for Otago | Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no. 1, Map F42.
Territorial Authority: Clutha District Council.
Value | Description |
---|---|
A1 | Habitat for nationally or internationally rare or threatened species or communities. Abundant Fernbird (At risk – Declining) and Mimulus repens (At Risk – Naturally Uncommon) are present. 103 |
A3 | High diversity of wetland habitat types. At least four wetland vegetation/habitat types dominated by indigenous species occur within the wetland: oioi rushland, rautahi sedgeland, Juncus spp./spaghnum bog, and remuremu-glasswort saltmarsh. 103 |
A4 | High degree of wetland naturalness. 1, 2 |
A5 | Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. A complete sequence of indigenous vegetation from the high-tide mark through saltmarsh and flax to tall Leptospermum sp., Carmichaelia sp. and Olearia sp. scrub. This scrub is considered an intrinsic part of the wetland and is the only example of its type in the Otago Coast Ecological Region. 1, 103Less than 15% of swamps remain in Otago. 2The Landcover Database v2 (LCDB2) indicates that all potential wetland classes (Herbaceous Freshwater Vegetation, Flaxland, Herbaceous Saline Vegetation, Lake and Pond, River, and River and Lakeshore Gravel and Rock) cover less than 2.59% of all land in Tokomairiro Ecological District. 103Bogs at or near sea level are regionally uncommon. 103 |
A6 | Highly valued by Kai Tahu for cultural and spiritual beliefs, values and uses, including mahika kai and waahi taoka. 1 |
A7 | High diversity of indigenous wetland flora and fauna. All the usual plant species that are likely to occur in saltmarsh environments are present. 103 |
A9 | Significant hydrological function, including maintaining water quality, or low flows, or reducing flood flows. Wetland is likely to moderate flows in the lower reaches of Akatore Creek during flood events. High tides flow into the wetland. The wetland is likely to help protect water quality within Akatore Creek. 103 |
A2, A8 | No relevant information is currently held by the ORC. |
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.
10 Ministry for the Environment (2004) Water Programme of Action: Potential Water Bodies of National Importance. Technical working Paper. Published by the Ministry for the Environment, Wellington.
11 Department of Conservation (2004) New Zealand non-migratory galaxiid fishes recovery plan 2003-2013. Threatened Species Recovery Plan 53. Published by the Department of Conservation, Wellington.
103 Wildland Consultants (2012) Ecological evaluation of Akatore Creek Swamp. Report prepared for Otago Regional Council.