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Managing our Environment

Cross Eden Creek Marsh Complex

Description:

Shallow water wetlands. Ephemeral wetlands and springfed wetlands located on the Maniototo Plains on either side of Cross Eden Creek. 89

Type/Class:

Marsh, swamp, shallow water and ephemeral wetlands. 89

Size:

20.8 ha

Altitude:

420 - 460 m above sea level

Approximate location:

Gimmerburn-Naseby Road, 4.5 km Northwest of Ranfurly.
NZTM (centre point): E1367500 N5000300

Regional Plan:

Water for Otago
Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.32, Map F16.

Territorial Authority:

Central Otago District Council

 

Cross Eden Creek Marsh Complex

Recorded Values:

Value

Description

 A3

 High diversity of wetland habitat types. Wetland complex with a high diversity of wetland types, represented by at least four, and possibly five wetland classes. 89

 A5

 Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Less than 15% of marshes remain in Otago. 2, 89

 A1, A2, A4, A6 - A9

 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information:

  • Shallow water and ephemeral wetland wetlands are present in ponds behind an old dam on the western side of the site. The dam holds shallow water and its fluctuating level gives the margins of the wetland an ephemeral wetland character. 89

  • Several indigenous aquatic plant species can observed in the shallow water of the dam, including Myriophyllum propinquum, Ruppia spp., pondweed (Potamogeton cheesemanii), and the exotic duck weed (Lemna minor). Limosella lineata and sharp spike sedge (Eleocharis acuta) are present in mud on the pond margins. 89

  • At the north-eastern end of the site, springs are vegetated in raised and very wet mounds of Schoenus pauciflorus and the sedges rautahi and Carex diandra (Plate 6) Other species at lower abundance include soft rush, jointed rush, Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), musk (Mimulus moschata), and patches of Marchantia liverworts. 89

  • Smaller examples of spring-fed wetlands occur further south within the site, and are notable for the presence of Epilobium chionanthum, rautahi, Carex spp. (probably C. buchananii and a smaller, unidentified species), and jointed rush. These spring-fed mounds can probably be classed as marshes, but if the springs provide a more or less permanent flow, would be better described as seepages. 89

  • On the margins of the larger spring-fed wetland in the north of the site, marsh wetlands dominated by soft rush, rautahi, sharp spike sedge, and jointed rush. A wide range of other species is also present, including the indigenous species Ranunculus glabrifolius, Carex diandra, C. sinclairii, Epilobium komarovianum, and Prasophyllum colensoi, while frequent exotic species were white clover (Trifolium repens), Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), catsear, and mouse ear chickweed (Cerastium fontanum). Nearby marsh vegetation on the margins of the Hawkdun water race have abundant rautahi, scattered Schoenus pauciflorus, and a range of other indigenous species including hard rush (Juncus edgariae), Ranunculus foliosus, Carex sinclairii, Carex sp., Ranunculus glabrifolius, and Hydrocotyle novae-zelandiae. 89

  • Swamp vegetation is present in shallow gullies on the north-western margin of the site. The composition of these swamps varies within the same gully, with some areas dominated by Carex diandra and jointed rush, others by Carex secta, soft rush, rautahi, Festuca rubra, and floating sweetgrass, and other sections by groves of crack willow above floating sweetgrass. 89

  • A few plants of speargrass (Aciphylla subflabellata) can be seen at two locations within the site, but not in wetland habitats. This species has a national threat classification of At Risk - Declining. 89

 

Aerial View of Cross Eden Creek Marsh Complex (February 2006)

Aerial View of Cross Eden Creek Marsh Complex (February 2006)

Transition from pasture through a gully swamp dominated by Carex diandra and jointed rush, to raised, spring-fed mounds with Schoenus pauciflorus, Cross Eden Creek Marsh Complex (March 2011)

Transition from pasture through a gully swamp dominated by Carex diandra and jointed rush, to raised, spring-fed mounds with Schoenus pauciflorus, Cross Eden Creek Marsh Complex (March 2011) 89

References

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.

89 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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