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Managing our Environment

Conroys Road Inland Saline Wetland Complex

Description:

Small salt pan areas. 1

Type/Class:

Inland saline. 2

Size:

5.9 ha

Altitude:

280 - 340 m above sea level

Approximate location:

1.7 km South of the intersection of Conroys Road and Chapman Road, Alexandra.
NZTM (centre point): E1312680 N4979240

Regional Plan:

Water for Otago
Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.31, Map F16.

Territorial Authority:

Central Otago District Council

 

Conroys Road Inland Saline Wetland Complex

Recorded Values:

Value

Description

A1

 Habitat for nationally or internationally rare or threatened species or communities. The threatened species New Zealand mousetail (Myosurus minimus subsp. novae-zelandiae) and Puccinellia raroflorens (type locality). 1 , 8

A5

Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Scarce wetland type: salt tolerant plants an endemic stonefly, and some uncommon moths. 1, 86

Less than 18% of inland saline areas remain in Otago. 2

 A2 - A4, A6 - A9

 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information

  • The Conroys Road Inland Saline Wetland Complex is a key site for spring annuals, Ceratocephalus pungens, New Zealand mousetail (Myosurus minimus subsp. novae-zelandiae), Myosotis pygmaea var. minutifolia, and Crassula tetramera. 4

  • Soil classified as Saline Argillic Semiarid Soil. 8

  • Presence of New Zealand celery (Apium prostratum), Atriplex buchananii with a threat status of naturally uncommon, Mediterranean barley grass (Hordeum hystrix), Lepidium kirkii with a threat status of nationally critical, and Buck’s-horn plantain (Plantago coronopus). 8

  • Presence of important fauna: Arctesthes catapyrrha, Capua semiferana, Crocydopora cinigerella, Dichromodes sp. nov., Eudonia atmogramma, Eudonia sabulosella, Eudonia leptalia, Eurythecta zelaea, Heliothis sp. nov., Hierodoris frigida, Kiwaia thyraula, Loxostege sp. nov., Orocrambus corruptus, Oxythecta austrina, Paranotoreas brephosata, Paranotoreas fulva, Phaeosaces sp. nov., Scoparia exilis, Scopula rubraria, Scoriodyta suttonensis, Sporophylla oenospora, Stenoptilia celidota, and Zizina oxleyi. 8

  • The Department of Conservation considers the Conroys Road Inland Saline Wetland Complex to be moderately 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

  • There is the potential threat of invasion by exotic weeds. 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 Conroys Road Inland Saline Wetland Complex (March 2005)

Conroys Road Inland Saline Wetland Complex (December 2010) 51

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.

4 Peat, N. and Patrick, B. H. (1999) Wild Central. Discovering the natural history of Central Otago. Published by the University of Otago Press, Dunedin.

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.

51 Otago Regional Council – Photo Archive.

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

86 Grove, P. (1994) Maniototo Ecological District. Survey Report for the Protected Natural Areas Programme. NZ Protected Natural Area Programme 30. Published by the Department of Conservation, Dunedin.

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