Re-vegetation plan - National Wetland Trust

Transcription

Re-vegetation plan for East Lake
(Rotopiko/Serpentine complex)
produced by
The NATIONAL WETLAND TRUST
September 2011
1
Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Background......................................................................................................... 3
Concept .............................................................................................................. 3
Site overview ...................................................................................................... 5
Vision and principles .......................................................................................... 8
Key stakeholders .............................................................................................. 10
Key actions and timeline .................................................................................. 11
Issues ................................................................................................................ 13
Opportunities and target vegetation types ..................................................... 18
Management zones.......................................................................................... 22
Animal pest management plan .................................................................... 40
Weed management plan.............................................................................. 40
Planting plan................................................................................................. 44
Monitoring and reporting plan .................................................................... 48
Potential supporters and volunteers ........................................................... 49
References and further reading ................................................................... 50
Funded by a grant from the Department
of Conservation’s Community
Conservation Fund.
2
Background
The National Wetland Trust (NWT) aims to increase public knowledge, appreciation,
protection, enhancement and restoration of wetlands throughout New Zealand. To help
achieve this goal, the Trust proposes to develop a National Wetland Centre at Lake
Serpentine/Rotopiko, south of Hamilton.
Many agencies and stakeholders have an interest in this site, and several areas have been
planted over the years with native, non-local native and exotic species. This report outlines
a plan to re-vegetate the site in a co-ordinated manner to restore natural character and
complement planned visitor facilities.
1. Concept
The National Wetland Centre (NWC) concept includes a mixture of indoor and outdoor
exhibits offering a range of stimulating, interactive and educational activities for visitors
(Fig 1).
The outdoor features at the centre entrance will include compact, representative wetland
‘gardens’ showing visitors a range of wetland ecosystems from across New Zealand.
Beyond the visitor centre will be a real wetland experience within the Lake Serpentine
wetland complex. A predator fence is proposed to provide site security, and enable pest
eradication and re-introduction of a range of native wildlife. Details are outlined in a
separate fence feasibility/habitat assessment report (McGibbon 2011).
The site comprises three connected peat lakes; East, South and North Lake. The NWC aims
to focus visitor facilities at East Lake, with views to South Lake.
Three wetland types exist here as natural features, and a further 8 could be incorporated
into the site, without compromising the site’s existing natural values.
The existing and planned wetland types are:
Existing
• Peat lake margins
• Restiad community (re-constructed)
• Kahikatea semi-swamp forest
Planned
• Estuary
• Braided river
• Geothermal wetland
• Alpine tarn
• Red tussock
• Treatment wetland / lowland sedgeland
• Cultural wetland
3
The existing features will be enhanced and expanded, while the constructed features will
be highly interpretive and constructed away from the natural features. Smaller vegetation
types may be incorporated into the existing natural features, e.g. swamp maire/ mairetawake forest.
Details on five of the constructed wetlands (estuary, braided river, geothermal, alpine
tarn, red tussock) are outlined in a separate landscape plan (Priest 2011). The revegetation plan focuses on planting within the envelope of the existing natural areas
around the lake and kahikatea forest. That area may include a cultural garden in
consultation and collaboration with local iwi representatives.
Lowland sedgeland vegetation is already being planted by the Department of Conservation
on the southern margin of South Lake. A treatment wetland has been proposed for the
western end of South Lake, to filter catchment and highway run-off. These wetlands can
be incorporated into the visitor facilities via interpretation panels and walkways.
Figure 1: Map of site and proposed visitor features.
4
2. Site overview
The proposed site for the National Wetland Centre is the Rotopiko /Serpentine Lakes
complex in the Waipa District of the Waikato Region; ten minutes drive from Hamilton.
The site is accessed off State Highway 3 (SH3), 20 km south of Hamilton city, 8 km north of
Te Awamutu, 23 km southwest of Cambridge and 10 km south of Hamilton International
Airport and Mystery Creek Events Complex (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Location map (source: Wisesmaps. A = Serpentine Lakes
Geography/Natural History
The three Serpentine Lakes are remnants of a 10,000-14,000 year old peat lake (Lake
Rotopiko), set in pastoral land in the Waipa District. Fragmented by drainage and land
development in the late 1900’s, the complex now comprises three small lakes (4-5 m
deep) weakly connected by short watercourses and lake margin vegetation. The lakes
have some of the best water quality and representations of natural aquatic plant
assemblages in the Waikato region (de Winton et al. 2007).
The lake margins have well-established reed beds and, further back, areas of flax, manuka,
swamp coprosma and kahikatea. Of particular note are the mature kahikatea stand and a
planted area of peat-forming species including the rare giant cane rush - Sporodanthus
ferrugineus. Much of the area is mown pasture grass and areas of planted vegetation
(mostly native).
The lake margins have a band of peat with depths up to 10 m (Thompson and Greenwood
1997), backed by mineral soil (clay loam) on the catchment slopes (de Winton et al. 2007).
As with all of the Waipa peat lakes, agricultural drainage has considerably lowered the lake
level (probably by over 2 metres, Keith Thompson, pers. comm.). Drainage used to be to
5
the west, but some 75 years ago, Lake Round (about a kilometre west of Serpentine) was
drained for farmland and a channel was dug to drain the Serpentine catchment into Lake
Rotomanuka, to the north. In the late 2000’s, the Waikato Regional Council installed a
weir to set a permanent minimum water level for the Serpentine lakes.
Microclimate
The site is in the lowland bioclimatic zone, Hamilton Ecological District, and Land
Environment A 5.3 (Northern Lowlands) characterised by warm temperatures, high solar
radiation, and low annual water deficits (Leathwick et al 2002). Landforms include flat
terraces and poorly-drained peat soils of low fertility.
Recent summers have experienced record droughts. This is a risk for plantings, even near
lake margins. Autumn is a preferable time to plant scrub / shrub / forest and drier areas
with near-permanently wet areas planted in spring. Watering may be needed in extreme
situations, particularly for rarer, or harder to source plants and those more susceptible to
the effects of drought, e.g. giant cane rush, swamp maire.
Ownership/ management/ governance
The site comprises a range of tenures over 39 hectares (see Appendix 1).
•
A 30.3 ha Government Purpose (Wildlife Management) Reserve over the lakes and
their immediate margins is vested with and administered by the Department of
Conservation (DoC).
•
A 7.77 ha Recreation Reserve in pasture and planted vegetation is vested with the
Crown and administered by Waipa District Council.
•
A 1.11 ha Esplanade Reserve is vested with and managed by WDC.
The recreation reserve includes an area of mown pasture, a stand of kahikatea (white
pine) semi-swamp forest, and recent plantings of native pioneer species. The lake
esplanade margin follows the southern and eastern side of East Lake to an access way
from Jary Rd to the south-east.
The complex is a priority area for restoration management in the draft Conservation
Management Strategy (Department of Conservation, 2008) which states that DOC will
work collaboratively with communities and organisations to enhance public access,
awareness and recreation opportunities.
Recent work at the site has included extensive plantings, pest fish and weed control, the
installation of a weir to set a minimum water level and the purchase of additional land
around North Lake to assist in buffering the lakes from adverse farming activities.
6
Culture/ history
The name Rotopiko translates roughly to “curving lake”, reflecting its serpentine (snakelike) outline. Within the Reserve are two recorded archaeological sites. These have not
been studied, so little specific information on the area’s cultural importance is available.
When more information becomes available this can be incorporated into the
interpretation and re-vegetation plan if appropriate.
Past condition
According to McQueen and Clarkson (2003);
“When the first European settlers arrived in the Hamilton area, they found a lowland of
open bracken fern country and scrub on higher land. In the gullies was an abundance of
flax, raupo and rushes. There were fields of flax and cabbage trees around small swamps
fed by perpetual springs and seepages. Towards the river, groves of kahikatea grew by
pond waters and the land in between was filled with acres of rushes, tall flaxes and stands
of manuka (Jay, 1997). The land was a jigsaw of oxbows, swamps, bogs, lakes and alluvial
flood plains (Jay, 1997).”
The situation was likely similar in the Ohaupo area south of Hamilton.
Wildlife
The lakes provide habitat for a variety of resident and frequenting native species. Long and
short-finned eels, common bully, smelt and 14 species of wildfowl including the
threatened Australasian bittern and grey duck, spotless crake, New Zealand dabchick,
scaup, and white heron have been reported here (de Winton et al. 2007).
Marsh crake have been recorded at Lake Ngaroto 3 km to the west of the Serpentine
complex, and banded rail at Lake Koromatua 15 km to the north. With pest removal these
rare and endangered species may self-establish at Serpentine. Pest eradication also
presents the opportunity to re-introduce other rare native species such as brown teal, and
to use the site as a crèche for western North Island brown kiwi. These opportunities are
documented in a separate predator fence feasibility report (MacGibbon 2011).
Threatened plants
The rare native bladderwort Utricularia australis and water milfoil Myriophyllum robustum
have been previously reported in the lake (de Winton et al. 2007). The giant cane rush
(Sporodanthus ferrugineus – Declining: Relict) has been re-established on the site.
Plant and animal pests
The pest fish rudd is present in East Lake, and a suite of mammalian pests is likely to be
present in the terrestrial and palustrine areas. There is potential to exclude pests and reintroduce threatened species, see separate report by MacGibbon (2011).
7
The lake margins have a wide range of invasive weeds, see weed management plan
(section 10) for further details. The Department of Conservation and Waipa District
Council have undertaken significant weed control around the lake margins and further
work is underway.
Current use/users
The lakes are currently used by up to 24 duck shooters per annum, with 6-8 shooters using
East Lake. Public use is currently limited, with no formal parking, infrastructure, or inviting
signage. It is likely that few members of the public realise the land is a reserve.
The grassed areas of the recreation reserve are mown for silage under a lease shortly to
expire. There are no stock on the site which is securely fenced from adjacent pasture.
3. Vision and principles
A vision for the Wetland Centre has been proposed by founding Trustee, Gordon
Stephenson and is providing an interim guide to restoration around the lakes.
Vision
A refuge where indigenous plants and animals (fish, reptiles, birds,
invertebrates) can co-exist without competition from exotic fauna and flora,
where the wetland ecosystem can function in a state reminiscent of bygone
centuries, and where visitors can enjoy and learn from being in such an
environment.
The key elements of the vision relate to:
• Focus on the full range of indigenous flora and fauna
• Seeking restoration and enhancement, including re-introduction of lost extant
species, to a state reflective of that in pre-human times, but acknowledging an
exact ‘replica’ is not feasible and may not be desirable
• Removal of exotic flora and fauna to create a native wildlife sanctuary and the
only mainland pest-free peat lake/wetland complex
• Natural functioning of the system (minimal intervention)
• Safe and interpreted public access
Principles
The vision and its elements form the basis of a set of principles that the plan shall adhere
to:
• Ecological e.g. use of eco-sourced native plants for re-vegetation around the lake,
use of non-invasive plants for wetland garden planting, removal of non-local/ nonnative species unless they are essential for interpretation, screening or other
defined uses
8
•
Scientific detailed record keeping and reporting – what was planted when, where
and who by, outcome of weed control measures, results of monitoring and
surveillance
•
Access maintenance of access for management/ research agencies, recreational
and cultural activities
•
Visitor experience creation of a ‘natural’ experience, maximisation of education/
interpretation opportunities
•
Cultural use/interpretation of species of cultural importance
•
Cost-effectiveness low-maintenance design (minimal edge, hardy plants, rapid
colonisers)
•
Enhancement re-introduction of threatened local plant species, provision of
habitat for a range of native fauna species
•
Landscape sensitive, aesthetic planting with consideration of landscape character,
takes into account existing viewing shafts, creates viewing shafts if and where
appropriate
•
Visitor safety avoiding plants that are sharp, spiny, toxic, allergy-inducing, or
strappy ‘trip-me-up’ plants like flax immediately adjacent to walkways and visitor
destinations
It is expected that the re-vegetation plan will:
• have an indigenous character and showcase wetland flora unless a particular
exotic species is deemed to have strong educational value without threatening
ecological integrity
• enhance existing populations of desirable and characteristic plant species
• use ecologically appropriate native species for new plantings including culturally
important/taonga species (see Appendix 2)
• where feasible and appropriate, reintroduce native plant species previously
present at the site
• where feasible and appropriate, reintroduce threatened native plant species
• create new/enhance existing habitat for native fauna
• highlight key threats to the site
• advise on protection for native flora through a Weed Control/Management Plan
• ensure the sustainability of site restoration through providing a Management and
Maintenance Plan
• enable restoration success to be measured through a Monitoring Plan
• provide due consideration to the security, safety and integrity of the predator
fence (no tall growing species used within 4 metres to prevent predator access,
and no structures near the fence)
• use plants in a clever and creative manner to increase security, e.g. sharp edged
sedges near the predator-proof fence
• be planned and planted to minimize weed control and maintenance requirements.
9
4. Key stakeholders
Many parties may have an interest in the lake complex and will be consulted to ensure
that re-vegetation and the plans for a predator fence do not impact their interests.
They, and their likely concerns/ interests, have been identified as (in alphabetical order):
1. Department of Conservation – landowners, maintenance of ecological
integrity/ natural character, access to the lakes for management, monitoring
and research
2. Waikato Regional Council – access to the lake for management, maintenance
of ecological integrity/ natural character
3. Fish and Game Council/ duck shooters – hunting access (maimai on East Lake)
4. Iwi – consultation required to determine interests and issues
5. Neighbours – lake views, noise, security, traffic
6. NIWA/ Landcare Research/ NZ Landcare Trust/ Waikato University - access
to the lake and margins for research/ monitoring/ restiad trials/ training days
7. Waipa District Council – landowners/ administrators, provision of visitor
facilities, management of recreation and esplanade reserves vested in or
owned by the Council
8. New Zealand Historic Places Trust – pa sites and archaeological features
10
5. Key actions and timeline
Table 1 is a summary of the key actions related to re-vegetation that have been identified,
and sections of this report to refer to for more information. Each zone will also have a
calendar of activities, see section 9.
Note that some actions may be added or their timing adjusted pending funding availability
and outcomes of other programmes (e.g. predator fence construction will trigger removal
of plants too close to the fence boundary). It is important to recognise that the revegetation plan is part of a wider wetland centre development and site restoration
programme as outlined in the National Wetland Centre Business Plan (Tourism Resources
Consultants, 2010).
Table 1: Calendar of actives for re-vegetation
2011
Where
When
Refer to
section
Remove hazards
See issues list
Immediately
3
Control high priority
weeds
See weed plan
Mostly spring/ summer
0
Weed surveillance
Entire site
Annual check – easiest when
things are flowering usually
summer (to aid idenfitication), but
get onto them before seed sets
12
Plant desired species
Zones
Drier sites in autumn, frost tender
species and wet sites in spring
0
E: Recent plantings
F: Restiad veg
G: Lake margins
Reporting
Entire site
Annually, prior to spring planting
season
12
2012
Where
When
Refer to
section
Continue high priority
weed control
See weed plan
Mostly spring/ summer, prior to
planting
0
Control medium/
lower priority weeds
See weed plan
Mostly spring/ summer, prior to
planting
0
Zones
0
3 months after planting
12
E: Recent plantings
F: Restiad veg
G: Lake margins
Monitor plant survival
Planted areas
Each spring (prior to each planting
11
season to arrange for
replacements)
Stress periods for rare/sensitive
plants
Weed surveillance
Entire site
things are flowering usually
summer (to aid ID), but get onto
them before seed sets
12
Natural regeneration
surveillance
Entire site
things are flowering (to aid ID) and
when seasonal plants are present
(e.g. orchids, sun dews)
12
Reporting
Entire site
season
12
2013 and onwards
Where
When
Refer to
section
Continue weed control
See weed plan
See weed plan
0
Continue weed
surveillance
Entire site
things are flowering (to aid ID),
but get onto them before seed
sets
12
Zones
0
A: Mown grass
B: Young kahikatea
C: Mature kahikatea
D: Podocarp rise
Any other zones that
need enhancement
planting
Remove undesirable
native plants
As directed by other
plans, e.g. along
predator fence line
Refer to predator fence and
landscape/ interpretation plans
n/a
Continue to monitor
plant survival
Planted areas
3 months after planting
12
Each spring (prior to each planting
season to arrange for
replacements)
Stress periods for rare/sensitive
plants (mainly summer and
winter)
Continue natural
regeneration
surveillance
Entire site
Annual check – easiest in summer
when things are flowering (to aid
ID) and when seasonal plants are
present (e.g. orchids, sun dews)
12
Reporting
Entire site
season
12
12
6. Issues
The following are general issues that need to be dealt with:
1. Hazards – rolls of wire, rusting barbed wire fence, and drains need to be dealt with
to maintain the safety of workers/ volunteers/ visitors to the site.
2. Exotic plants – a range of types of weeds and impacts need to be addressed. First
priority is invasive woody plants that can be easily removed thus destroying the
seed source (though some may have a seed bank). Vines that strangle native
plants and those that impede access or are a danger to visitors/volunteers (e.g.
blackberry) are also high priority and will likely need ongoing control. Vigorous
shade-tolerant herbs like gypsywort are also a target species. Annual herbs and
shade intolerant species are a lower priority, targeted only where they threaten to
smother young plantings.
3. Inappropriate native plants – some planted species are not local to the area or
typical of peat lake locations (e.g. kapuka, purple akeake, karo) and should be
removed. The fate of three planted blocks near the entrance will be determined
by the landscape plan - they may form a useful feature for shading in the car park,
or screening, or may be removed to provide for the interpretation gardens. Some
naturally occurring natives also have the potential to be weedy (e.g.
Muehlenbeckia australis, bracken) and may need selective management. Some
native plants are appropriate to the site but planted outside their optimum
setting, e.g. the wetland species Coprosma tenuicaulis planted in drier areas with
terrestrial and ‘amphibious’ i.e. facultative plant species.
4. Low diversity planting & species gaps – the planting that has been undertaken is
largely of a small number of species. They are ideal nurse crops, but will need to
be under/ inter planted with a greater diversity of locally appropriate species,
including longer-lived canopy and understory species. Many native plants and
animals are no longer present at the site. The re-vegetation plan (and
accompanying species translocation plan) can address that gap.
5. Pest animals – the full suite of mammalian pest animals is likely to be present with
the exception of ungulates. Domestic pets are also potentially present and any
pest control operations must take these non-targets into account. Rainbow skinks
have not been recorded, and care should be taken to ensure they are not
introduced with nursery plants or building supplies. Root trainers should be
avoided and plants firmly placed in the ground to deter pukeko from uprooting
them.
6. Predator fence integrity – some plantings and parts of the kahikatea forest are
close to the boundary fence. If a predator fence is to be installed, clearance will be
required to provide the necessary gap to prevent pest breaches. Note also, a
neighbour has a maimai along the boundary at the edge of the kahikatea forest
that may cause issues around predator fence location.
13
7. Lake integrity (fish passage/water quality etc) – the restoration plan provides an
opportunity to incorporate treatment wetlands to improve/maintain water
quality, while the predator fence provides an opportunity to enhance or impede
fish passage, unless specifically provided for). Restoration activities must also be
carefully undertaken to minimise risk of introducing pest plants (e.g. cleaning
equipment). Access to the lake also needs to be provided for DoC/EW/NIWA staff,
contractors and boats. Onsite works need to avoid the use of contaminated
machinery – e.g. earth moving. Any proposals to raise the lake water level would
have a potential effect on planted vegetation (positives and negatives), and, if
enacted, should be undertaken slowly to allow vegetation to adjust. Peat
subsidence is also a concern, restoring restiad margins may help build a lake levee
to maintain lake levels over the long period.
8. Historical sites – a Pa site located at the north-eastern side of East Lake needs to
be considered and discussed with local iwi. It also provides an opportunity for an
interpretation site, including use of plants of significance as rongoa or traditional
food/fibre.
9. Visitor features/ facilities – planting must take into account other needs such as
maintaining/creating view shafts or conversely screening features to create a
sense of ‘discovery’ or a wilderness experience by blocking views of
houses/farmland. Some plants may need to be removed to improve view shafts
(e.g. kahikatea planted on the south-western margin of South Lake), and planting
must aim to maintain planned view shafts. Additionally, planting must be planned
around walkways, historical sites (e.g. the Pa site) and interpretation features (e.g.
relaxation circle or tower in Turney’s Bush). There is potential for conflict between
Jary Road residents who may desire lake views, and visitor experience of a natural
setting that a well-screened East Lake could provide. There is also a need to
manage access to open water to minimise the risk of weed introductions and
educate visitors (e.g signage about undesirability of pest aquatic plants, fish,
turtles).
10. Maimai – two maimai (duck shooter huts) are currently on the margin of East
Lake. Use of the lake for hunting will be incompatible with high visitor use and
alternative hunting opportunities need to be found for the hunters using them.
Duck shooting is an important part of the wetland recreational use in New
Zealand, and maimai are a potential interpretation feature. However the current
maimai need to be assessed for safety and possibly upgraded or removed, which
will require the owners permission and assistance from the Department of
Conservation.
11. Wildlife resources – planting and vegetation removal should consider wildlife
needs. Fallen logs and branches could be stacked on dry ground to provide reptile
refuge and invertebrate habitat, but crack willow should be removed to prevent
re-sprouting. The mature kahikatea stand is a potential habitat for green gecko
release. Winter fruiting/flowering plants (miro, karamu, mapou, pate, five-finger,
kohekohe) can be included in the planting plan to provide seasonal food for native
fauna. Maintenance of some open areas of pasture grass are desirable for some
bird species (e.g. takahe, kiwi).
14
Error! Not a valid bookmark self-reference. lists is a prioritised list of issues and potential
solutions regarding re-vegetation of the Serpentine complex in relation to planned visitor
facility development.
Table 2: Issues and options prioritised for importance and urgency.
Issue
Details
Potential solutions
Importance
Difficulty
/ cost
Effort
Remove wire piles and old
fence line
High
Easy
$$
One-off
High
Moderate
$$
Ongoing
High
Moderate
$$
Ongoing
High
Easy
$
Oneoff,
convers
ation
and
earthw
orks
URGENT / FIRST PRIORITY
Hazards
Several piles of #8 and
barbed wire along the
eastern margin of East
Lake
Old barbed wire fence
in Turney’s Bush
Fence drains or plant sharp
edged plants along them e.g.
Gahnia xanthocarpa to
define them and deter
visitors
Open drains
Slippery bridge
Invasive
woody plants
Grey willow
Crack willow
Wattle
Christmas berry
Hawthorn, boxthorn
Invasive nonwoody weeds
E.g. Calystegia,
blackberry, gypsywort
Water level
setting
Proposals to discuss
raising water level have
been put forward,
implications for
planting plan.
Artesian seep in
kahikatea must be
considered in planning.
Wildlife
values
Removal and planting
should bear in mind
habitat protection/
improvement, e.g. shag
roosts, gecko cover
Tack mesh onto bridge over
drain, consider installing a
hand rail on one side
Remove these plants – see
weed plan. Pile trunks/ large
branches of non-sprouting
trees in safe location for
reptile and insect refuge
Remove/control these
plants. Try selective
herbicide around valued
monocots (flax, Carex etc)
Confirm with DoC, WDC and
WRC what the target water
level is and plant accordingly.
Lake water level should be
set high enough to limit
further shrinkage of peat
around the lakes.
Implications for farming
sustainability to the north in
particular.
Discuss with DoC and habitat
assessment contractor
$$ for
drain rerouting
High
Easy
$
Oneoff,
convers
ation
MODERATE PRIORITY
Predator
fence issues
Pest animals
Plants too close to
fenceline near Turneys’
Bush
Remove these plants
Construct an alternative
maimai?
High
Easy
$- $$
One-off
Pat’s maimai
Full suite likely to be
present, also domestic
predators
Predator fence, pest control
(though risk to domestic
pets)
High
High
$$$
Construc
-tion
one-off.
15
Issue
Details
Interpretation
/ walk-ways
E.g. pa site, maimai,
boardwalks, see also
Historical Features
Historical
features
Pa site
Fish passage
Providing fish passage
good for natives, but
can introduce
unwanted species
Weedy
natives
Meuhlenbeckia
australis
Peat subsidence
Water quality
Potential solutions
Importance
Difficulty
/ cost
Effort
Mainten
ance /
monitori
ng ongoing
One off
(i.e.
design)
Work with landscapers and
design planting to allow for
development of walkways
and interpretation
Design planting to protect
and interpret
High
Easy
$$
High
Easy
$$
The DoC plans to construct a
pest fish barrier
downstream, which will
resolve this issue. Ensure
predator fence allows for
native fish passage
Discuss with DoC
High
Easy
SS
Moderate
High
$$
On-going
Water level setting (weir),
and lake margin planting,
particularly of peat-forming
species to build a lake levee
(there may be insufficient
width to do this effectively)
High
High
$$
On-off to
plant,
ongoing
mainten
ance
Aim for vegetated
buffer/filter around lake
margin, widen existing
riparian zone.
High
Easy
$
Build
into
planting
plan
Need to create a list of
plants that could be
introduced
Discuss with DoC and NWT
ecologists
High
Moderate
$$
Ongoin
g for a
while
Need to maintain
access for monitoring/
research
Provide for vehicle access off
Jary Rd?
High
Easy
$$
One-off
Moderate
Moderate
Some
Bracken
Drainage and soil
oxidation has lead to
peat shrinkage and
pressure to reduce lake
water levels to
minimise flooding on
adjacent properties
Catchment run-off risks
water quality
One off
(i.e.
design)
One off
(i.e.
design)
LESS URGENT
Missing
species/ low
diversity
planting
Lake access
Need vehicle gate in
predator fence
Views
16
Current and growing
Manage lake access for foot
traffic and kayakers –
signage required to warn
undesirability of pest
introductions. Cleaning of
equipment (boats, life
jackets etc) required prior to
entry. Also clean equipment
after to prevent spread of
undesirable species (e.g.
Utricularia gibba) to other
water bodies
Talk to neighbours about
Issue
Inappropriate
native plants
Details
Potential solutions
vegetation can block
views, conversely,
screening can enhance
on-lake experience
(screening houses), and
provide sense of
‘discovery’.
Concern from
neighbours
concerns
Kapuka along track
towards bog
Remove these species but
allow landscape plan to
determine fate of the planter
stands, e.g. for car park
shade/ screening or remove
Moderate
Easy
$
Remove these plants – fell
and paint trunks prior to
increased visitor numbers
Discuss with Tony Roxburgh,
DoC, and Sonia Frimmel
Moderate
Moderate
$$
Ongoing
Moderate
?
Plant among to shade out
Low
Easy
$
One-off
if
remove
d,
ongoin
g
mainte
nance if
left
Ongoing
but
mostly
just
allow
shading
to
occur
Purple akeake
Importance
Difficulty
/ cost
Effort
$$
ongoing
mainte
nance,
mostly
about
avoidin
g
plantin
g
wrong
thing in
wrong
place
One-off
Work with landscapers to
determine when/where
screening desirable. May
require some vegetation
removal (discuss with DoC).
Design planting to take views
into account.
Planter stands near
entrance
Lemonwoods?
Non-invasive
woody plants
Deciduous trees
Mai mai
Two maimai on East
Lake, may have safety
issues, or may have
interpretation value
Annual weeds
Jerusalem cherry
Pasture grasses
Thistles etc
17
7. Opportunities and target vegetation types
While the ‘front-end’ of the wetland centre focuses on national wetlands, the area beyond
presents an opportunity to introduce visitors to a range of Waikato vegetation types.
Some original vegetation remains (mature kahikatea and lake margin) however much of
the area has been planted in natives or exotics, or is retired grazing land, and is essentially
a ‘blank canvas’. They present an opportunity to re-instate, or create a range of
representative vegetation types and wildlife habitats.
The area presents a range of opportunities including;
1. Create an intact ecological sequence from lake margin to dryland forest
2. Expand restiad community
3. Plant manuka/Baumea and Baumea-Gleichenia vegetation as a transition from the
restiad vegetation into the esplanade reserve
4. Introduce swamp maire stand (wet, sheltered area among existing manuka scrub)
5. Widen lake margin vegetation
6. Create water treatment wetland at western end of South Lake to improve quality
of water entering the lake
7. Enhance young kahikatea stand understory
8. Enrich recent plantings with increased diversity of ecologically appropriate species
9. Create cultural garden/pa harakeke near pa site (see Appendix 2)
10. Construct predator-proof fence, eliminate mammalian pests, re-introduce lost
fauna (see separate fence feasibility plan)
11. Acquire additional reserve land via subdivision to expand visitor facilities and
wildlife habitat.
12. Allowing natural regeneration following weed removal (well-monitored to ensure
no re-invasion of exotic species)
These opportunities are addressed in their relevant management zones.
The exact composition of original vegetation is unknown, however some of the area in the
reserve was formerly lake bed. As the water levels are unlikely to be returned to their
former level (i.e. to a single lake), the objective will not be to return the site to its former
habitat, but to utilise the area to enhance wildlife values and create a range of vegetation
types typical of Waikato peat lake surrounds.
Twenty four wetland vegetation types have been described for the Waikato (Denyer et al.
1999). Those suitable for (or present at) Serpentine are listed and described in Table 3 to
assist with the re-vegetation plan (modified extract from Denyer et al. 1999). See also
Appendix 3 for a description of the wetland and peatland vegetation types present in the
Hamilton Ecological District prior to human arrival.
A natural transition (or ecological sequence) is recommended from the herbaceous lake
edge through sedgeland, shrubland and scrub to the kahikatea semi-swamp forest and
terrestrial podocarp-broadleaf forest. These sequences have been largely lost from the
Waikato.
18
Table 3: Wetland vegetation types present at or suitable for the Serpentine complex
VEG TYPE
DESCRIPTION
STATUS/
OPPORTUNITIES
Kahikatea swamp
or semi-swamp
forest
Generally kahikatea dominant but with canopy associates,
e.g., matai, kowhai, ribbonwood, swamp maire, black
maire, cabbage tree and pukatea. In poorly drained sites,
the understory may be sparse and consist of sedges, e.g.,
Carex and Baumea spp., ferns or flax, with herbs such as
Hydrocotyle pterocarpa, Myriophyllum robustum, or
Ranunculus amphitrichus in pools of water. Shrubs in this
situation may be restricted to the bases of kahikatea trees,
although swamp maire may be common throughout.
Small-leaved, divaricating shrub species, e.g., Coprosma
tenuicaulis, C. propinqua x robusta, Melicytus micranthus,
and Streblus heterophyllus are characteristic of kahikatea
wetland forest.
Present as mature
forest but with
potential to enhance
the understory.
In areas with better drainage, native Oplismenus grass and
occasional fern species may cover the ground, with
mahoe, mapou, Coprosma spp. and/or other shrubs
present. Sites which, presumably, formerly had higher
water tables but have since been drained, may contain
pukatea, titoki, and tawa in the canopy and understory
layers.
Manuka scrub
Closed canopy manuka is common in a range of habitats. It
occurs as forest (4-7 m tall) or scrub (1-3 m) in both poorly
and well-drained sites that are relatively infertile and
acidic, and is also common in the early years after fire.
Where the manuka canopy is dense it generally has a
sparse understory which may comprise ferns, e.g.,
Hypolepis distans, H. ambigua, Histiopteris incisa, Paesia
scaberula, Pteridium esculentum.
Sites with higher water tables are more likely to have
Gleichenia dicarpa, Baumea tenax, B. rubiginosa, B.
teretifolia Schoenus maschalinus, and Blechnum novaezelandiae (minus), and shrubs of Coprosma tenuicaulis,
and C. propinqua. Kahikatea and cabbage tree are rarely
present as canopy emergents.
Potential to expand
into areas recently replanted in native
shrubs and grade into
drier podocarp-tawa
forest on the
mineralised soil.
Some 15-20 year old
stands with little
understory, potential
to enrich by thinning
and underplanting.
Present as a narrow
planted margin of East
Lake, with wider swath
between East and
South lake.
Potential to expand
around the East Lake/
North Lake margin
junction and enhance
with under-planting of
swamp maire.
In the peat bogs, in addition to the sedges and ferns
described above, Empodisma and occasional Epacris
pauciflora, Sporadanthus, and inaka (Dracophyllum
lessonianum) are often present. Sphagnum moss, and
Hydrocotyle pterocarpa may be present on the ground.
Sporadanthus
ferrugineus
rushland
Sporadanthus forms large dense stands with occasional
shrub associates of manuka and Epacris. In the less dense
areas, particularly the margins of clumps, it overtops
Empodisma, Schoenus brevifolius, Baumea teretifolia,
Gleichenia. These species also extend into areas between
Sporadanthus clumps. Ground cover is generally sparse,
and comprised of mosses, club mosses, the liverwort
Present, with potential
to expand its extent
near East Lake
19
(Goebelobryum unguiculatum) and bladderwort
(Utricularia delicatula).
Empodisma minus
rushland
Characteristic of peat bogs in the lower Waikato, this
vegetation type comprises a dense lower canopy of
Empodisma minus with Baumea teretifolia, B. rubiginosa,
G. dicarpa, and Schoenus brevifolius, overtopped by
occasional manuka and Epacris pauciflora. Baumea
teretifolia, S. brevifolius, Tetraria capillaris and, rarely, B.
arthrophylla (huttonii), are more abundant in flushes.
Where Empodisma is less dense, mosses, sundew, comb
fern, bladderwort, orchids, liverworts, orchids, and club
mosses form a ground cover, but are more common in
open areas with pools of water. Closer to the centre of
peat domes Empodisma forms a patchy mosaic between
the Sporadanthus communities.
Potential to plant as an
extension of the
Sporodanthus – needs
to be planted
separately to prevent
shading by the taller
cane rush.
Manuka/
Baumea spp scrub/
shrubland
Mosaics of manuka with Baumea spp., commonly B.
teretifolia, B. rubiginosa, B. tenax, occasionally B.
arthrophylla forming patches in canopy gaps. Understory
or canopy associates may include flax, Coprosma
tenuicaulis, Gleichenia dicarpa, Schoenus brevifolius,
Dianella haematica and Tetraria capillaris. Pockets of
Empodisma occur in more oligotrophic, acidic conditions.
Sphagnum moss and sundews may be present in ground
cover.
Potential to plant in
the esplanade reserve
currently in grass
along the eastern
margin of East Lake.
Baumea rubiginosa
sedgeland
Although Baumea rubiginosa is often present within the
manuka-Baumea vegetation type it also dominates
flushes, with lesser amounts of B. arthrophylla, B.
teretifolia, and flax, particularly on peat bog margins.
the shallow drains on
near the restiad veg.
Baumea teretifolia
– Gleichenia
dicarpa sedgeland
On the edge of the Kopuatai peat dome and at
Whangamarino, between fringing manuka and peatforming restiad communities, is a zone of dense Baumea
teretifolia with the tangle fern Gleichenia dicarpa. These
are also important components of the restiad Empodisma
vegetation type into which this type merges. Manuka, and
Epacris pauciflora are locally common. More open areas
support club mosses, mosses, and sundews.
as transition between
the restiad veg. and
proposed
manuka/Baumea
shrubland.
Carex spp
sedgeland
Although Carex spp. are present at many lakes in the
lower Waikato, the Carex vegetation type occurs at only
seven of them. These are generally areas dominated by C.
secta, but other carices including C. virgata, C. maorica,
and, less frequently, C. geminata, C. subdola and swardforming C. gaudichaudiana. Other species present
amongst the carex are Baumea articulata, Eleocharis spp.,
Bolboschoenus fluviatilis, flax and raupo.
Potential to plant as
treatment wetland
among kahikatea
treeland at the SH3
inlet to South Lake.
Swamp meadow
herbfield
Swamp meadows are diverse mosaics of low-growing
native and adventive herbs, rushes and sedges, commonly
found fringing lake margins in the lower Waikato.
Common components are Isolepis prolifer, Isachne
globosa, Ludwigia spp., Myriophyllum spp., Ranunculus
spp., Carex fascicularis, C. virgata, Juncus species (e.g., J.
acuminatus, J. articulatus, J. gregiflorus), Paspalum
20
Present in places
around the lake but
overshadowed by
native shrubs and
exotic species
including grey willow,
distichum, Polygonum spp., Eleocharis spp., Sparganium
subglobosum, Baumea articulata, and Bolboschoenus
fluviatilis. Tall sedges and flax may form pure stands
within the swamp meadow.
potential to restore/
enhance around East
and South lakes.
Raupo reedland
Raupo stands are more or less pure, with occasional
sedges, e.g., Carex secta, Bolboschoenus spp, Eleocharis
spp., Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani and Baumea spp.,
at stand margins. Flax, toetoe and oioi are occasional
associates at the southern end of Lake Taupo.
Present with no
recommendation to
deliberately increase
or decrease its extent.
Eleocharis
sphacelata
sedgeland
Eleocharis sphacelata typically forms monospecific bands
(2-4m wide) in lake margins, at water depths of up to 2 m.
These bands often form the boundary between open
water and wetland vegetation.
Present with no
recommendation to
deliberately increase
or decrease its extent.
21
8. Management zones
Eight management zones have been defined and mapped (see Figure 3). These reflect
current vegetation cover and will have individual management and planting requirements.
Their current condition and recommendations are outlined in Section 8.
Zone A: Mown pasture
Zone B: Young kahikatea stand
Zone C: Podocarp rise
Zone D: Mature kahikatea forest
Zone E: Recent plantings
Zone F: Re-created restiad community
Zone G: Lake margins
Zone H: Esplanade strip
Recommendations are made here for each zone. Specific weed management and planting
requirements are outlined in separate sections of this report.
To assist contractors and volunteers to identify the zones on the ground each has been
given a colour code and it is recommended that appropriately coloured markers be
installed at each zone.
Nine target vegetation types are proposed for the site (some occur in more than one
management zone, see Key for Figure 4). These will form an ecological sequence from the
herbaceous and reedy lake edge through sedgeland, shrubland and scrub to kahikatea
semi-swamp forest and terrestrial podocarp-broadleaf forest.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
22
Carex sedgeland
Swamp maire treeland
Empodisma –Gleichenia rushland
Sporodanthus rushland
Manuka/Baumea shrubland
Manuka scrub
Kahikatea/Carex treeland
Kahikatea semi-swamp forest
Podocarp-broadleaf forest
Figure 3: Management zones
(Blue line marks indicative location of predator-proof fence)
Key
Zone
Current cover
A
Mown grass
B
C
Planted kahikatea
Planted kahikatea
and totara, rank
grass/weeds
Mature kahikatea
D
Area (ha)
3.2
0.1
Target vegetation
Visitor features
Grass, refuge pockets
Walkways, picnic,
kids play area
None
School shelter
1.3
1.7
E
F
G
H
Recent plantings in
pasture
Re-created restiad
veg.
Manuka scrub/
shrubland, swamp
meadow, reedbeds
Mown grass
1.1
0.1
4.5
0.5
Manuka scrub and shrubland
Sporodanthus rushland
Empodisma –Gleichenia rushland
Manuka scrub and shrubland
Carex sedgeland
Swamp maire treeland
Kahikatea/Carex treeland
Manuka/Baumea shrubland
Sporodanthus rushland (extension)
Walkway,
contemplation
glade
Walkways
Interpretation sign,
possible ‘bouncy
surface’
Walkways, jetty,
maimai /bird hide
Walkways, pa interp
feature
12.5 ha
23
Zone A: Mown pasture (yellow marker)
Current state
This is a gently sloping ridge that rises up from the highway, and drops away to South Lake
to the north, East Lake to the east, and the kahikatea forest to the south. It is well-drained
mineralised soil currently in pasture that is mowed for silage. It was previously grazed but
all stock and fences have been removed. Area approx 3.2 ha.
Target vegetation
It is recommended that much of the site be left in pasture, at least in the short term, to
provide for the wetland centre building, visitor facilities, picnic spaces, additional
infrastructure (e.g. future outbuildings), and potential fauna habitat (see habitat potential
below). Shade trees and pockets of vegetation could be dotted about the zone for amenity
values and cover for wildlife that would utilise open grassland. The landscape plan will
outline desired planting for interpretation wetlands.
Interpretation features/planned facilities/ view shafts
This area will house the wetland centre building and entry features (landscaped wetland
gardens). Part of it will be within the proposed predator fence. It is important to maintain
views of South Lake from the ridge, especially where the building is likely to go. It is also
important to retain areas in pasture to allow for expansion or addition of buildings/
interpretation features.
Unwanted species
There are no major threatening weeds in this zone. Three blocks of native trees and
shrubs, including non-local species (e.g. karo, kapuka) have been planted in the area.
These can be incorporated into the landscaped gardens, e.g. used as an entrance way to
screen the salt-marsh and braided river, and planting along the slope between the two
blocks closer to the road to screen the service road to the visitor centre. It is
recommended they be left in place for now. The block closest to the road could be
underplanted with species that evoke coastal forest (nikau, kohekohe, ground ferns) as an
entrance to the saline wetland. The understory is currently open with many dead branches
that should be removed if this is to be used as an entrance feature (short-bush walk).
24
Habitat potential
Open grassland (with pockets of vegetation for escape cover from avian predators) can
provide ideal forage areas for some birds, including takahe and banded rail.
Suggested plants
Inside the fence it is recommended that planting be deferred pending the development of
the habitat assessment plan to determine wildlife needs, and to provide flexibility for
infrastructure development. Suitable shade trees include titoki and mahoe (both need
shelter and watering during establishment phase - use shade cloth cloche).
Cover for ground birds can include small pockets of tussock-forming plants like mountain
flax (Phormium cookianum) edged with smaller herbs, e.g. toatoa (Haloragis erecta subsp.
erecta), Dianella nigra and sedges such as Uncinia species, Carex dissita, and C.
lambertiana to provide a mowing strip. These can be incorporated along the path to
improve aesthetics and define walkway areas. Single or clusters of cabbage trees or
lancewood will add a sense of height without blocking views. Bark mulch will provide an
attractive look, deter weeds, and conserve moisture, but use should be minimised to save
costs and maintenance.
Species used here must be hardy to cope with summer drought and winter frost.
Management needs
On-going mowing to keep the site tidy and deter rodents and weed establishment.
Planting and weed / mulch maintenance as required.
Action Timeline
2011
2012
2013 or undetermined
Continue mowing as
required.
Refer to actions in the
business, landscape and
interpretation plans and
implement as required
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Refer to actions in the
business, landscape and
interpretation plans and
implement as required
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Establish monitoring photo
point (s)
25
Zone B: Young kahikatea stand (blue marker)
Current state
This is a small (0.08 ha) stand of kahikatea trees and some totara densely planted some 15
years. The understory is largely bare. The area is well-drained and not subject to flooding.
Target vegetation
Interpretation features/planned facilities
No features planned.
Unwanted species
None. The herbaceous exotic species present are not likely to persist. Some of the trees
may need to be thinned to promote understory development. The lemonwoods could be
removed but are a relatively short-lived species and could be left for a nurse plant.
Habitat potential
Green gecko, tui, kereru, crakes, takahe.
Suggested plants
The understory will remain bare until the canopy thins (either naturally or by selective tree
removal). At present it is suppressing weeds and best left until higher priority sites have
been planted.
Near edges and in gaps in sheltered areas plant broadleaves including rewarewa (Knightia
excelsa), titoki (Alectryon excelsus), pukatea (Laurelia novaezelandii), matai, black maire,
mahoe, mamaku, hangehange (Geniostoma rupestre), kanono (Coprosma grandifolia), C.
robusta, C. rhamnoides, C. rotundifolia, C. areolata, Pseudopanax arboreus, and hinau
(Eleocarpus dentatus).
26
When the canopy thins, or as a trial, the following shade tolerant species could be planted
(note they may suffer from root competition and it is suggested that some trials be
undertaken first): tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa), mangeao (Litsea calicaris), pate (Schefflera
digitata), kohekohe (Dysoxylem spectabile), pukatea (Laurelia novaezelandii), nikau
(Rhopalostylis sapida), hangehange (Geniostoma rupestre), mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus),
kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum),pate (Schleflera digitata), kanono (Coprosma
grandifolia, and C. lucida),pigeonwood (Hedycarya arborea) and kahakaha (Astelia
fragrans). Other shrubs, ferns and ground cover speices are likely to self–establish from
the surrounding seed source.
Consider trials of forest duff (leaf litter as a seed source), collected with
landowner/manager permission from nearby weed-free podocarp forest areas and spread
onto the forest floor.
This vegetation can grade into the wetter adjacent sites where kahikatea will be sparser
over karamu grading to swamp coprosma, cabbage tree and flax.
Action Timeline
2011
2012
Weed management/
surveillance
point (s)
Continue weed
management/ surveillance
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Duff trials
Enhancement planting
(edges, gaps)
Annual monitoring/
reporting
27
Zone C: Podocarp rise (purple marker)
Current state
A 1.3 ha stand of kahikatea and totara with a strip of flax on a slight ridge and very gentle
slope screens East Lake from the Visitor Centre location and provides a soft fore-ground to
the mature kahikatea forest. The site has been densely planted in totara and kahikatea
and has little understory given low light levels. Between the podocarp stand and the
mature kahikatea is an area of recent plantings and dense weeds.
Target vegetation
Podocarp-broadleaf forest.
School shelter – an open sided, roofed structure with gravel floor and moveable bench
seating to provide a shaded and drizzle-proof shelter for teachers/ guides to gather
students for talks or written activities. Can double as a casual visitor amenity or events
shelter.
Unwanted species
Christmas berry tree Schinus terebinthifolius - several large specimens, currently providing
shade but suppressing understory re-growth. The species is a prolific seeder, can grow in
both wet and dry conditions, and it produces a sap that can cause skin irritation. Also
blackberry, bindweed (Calystegia sp probably hybrid) and exotic pasture species.
Habitat potential
Terrestrial species, birds, invertebrates, cover for the grassland species; green gecko, tui,
kereru, crakes, takahe.
Suggested plants
As per Zone B. Titoki will provide ideal shade trees near the school shelter.
28
Action Timeline
2011
2012
point (s)
Weed management/
surveillance
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Continue weed
Under-plant
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Continue weed
Under-plant
29
Zone D: Mature kahikatea forest (green marker)
Current state
A small (approx 1.6 ha) stand of tall mature kahikatea forest, likely around 100 years old,
and possibly some older trees. Drained, but some areas still very wet in winter, spring-fed.
Very open in places with large canopy gaps. Well developed understory in places, but also
a significant exotic component. Some native shrubs, including swamp maire, have been
planted under the canopy and an extensive buffer planted around the margins on the east
and north sides. The south side is hard up against the property boundary which presents
some issues for placement of a predator-proof fence.
An old barbed wire fence within the stand should be removed. A maimai is also within the
stand.
Target vegetation
Kahikatea semi-swamp forest.
Walkway, possible forest tower or contemplation circle in an open glade inside the stand.
An old saw remains in the site which could be incorporated into the interpretation,
relating to the extensive felling of kahikatea forest in New Zealand for butter boxes.
Unwanted species
Stinking iris, hawthorn, barberry, Jerusalem cherry, Kahili ginger, arum lily, blackberry
Habitat potential
Green gecko, tui, kereru, crakes, takahe.
30
Suggested plants
Additional planting in the sub-canopy of small-leaved shrub species, e.g. Melicytus
micranthus, Pennantia corymbosa, Melicope simplex, Coprosma tenuicaulis, Coprosma
areolata, Coprosma rotundifolia, Streblus heterophyllus.
In larger gaps and edges plant black maire (Nestegis cunninghamii), matai (Prumnopitys
taxifolia), pokaka (Eleocarpus hookerianus), and, in damper sites, swamp maire (Syzigium
maire) and dense swards of Astelia grandis – particularly where a contemplation glade is
to be constructed (see interpretation plan).
Buffer of hardy shrubby species (as per the species already planted adjacent to the stand)
on property boundary - allow for predator fence gap (4 m).
Action Timeline
2011
2012
Remove hazards (barbed
wire, old fenceline)
Control unwanted plants
point (s)
Remove vegetation as
required by the predator
fence plan.
Under-plant with suggested
species
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Resolve issue of maimai
on council land
Remove vegetation as
required by the predator
fence plan.
Under-plant with
suggested species
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Continue weed
31
Zone E: Recent plantings (red marker)
Current state
Area of mixed natives (mainly manuka, Coprosma robusta, flax, cabbage trees, kahikatea)
planted over the last 2 years among exotic grass. Some taller trees previously planted
(lemonwoods, Tasmanian blackwoods, Christmas berry and unidentified deciduous
species). Range of wetter and drier sites, will need to select species appropriate to soil
moisture levels (see suggested plants below). Area approx 1.1 ha.
Target vegetation
Manuka shrubland
Kahikatea semi-swamp forest/treeland
Walkways
Unwanted species
Bindweed (Calystegia hybrid), blackberry, Tasmanian blackwood, Christmas berry/Brazilian
pepper tree, deciduous exotic species. Grass and herbaceous annual species will be
shaded out.
Habitat potential
Green gecko, tui, kereru, crakes, bittern.
Suggested plants
As currently planted, mainly manuka, flax, cabbage trees, swamp coprosmas (Coprosma
propinqua, C. tenuicaulis) and scattered kahikatea (dense near kahikatea stand, thinning
towards lake edge) but use less C. robusta and avoid lowland ribbonwood and Pittosporum
species (more typical of steamside zones). Could enrich with small dense stands of swamp
maire, wheki (Dicksonia squarrosa), Astelia grandis, Gahnia xanthocarpa in wetter areas,
and, in drier areas, kaikomako (Pennantia corymbosa), black maire, matai and pokaka
32
(Elaeocarpus hookerianus). Close to the lake edge zone grade into sedges Baumea
rubigionso, Baumea arthrophylla, Carex virgata.
Action Timeline
2011
2012
Weed management/
surveillance
Plant survival monitoring
point (s)
Continue weed
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Enrichment planting with
suggested species
Continue weed
Annual monitoring/
reporting
suggested species
33
Zone F: Re-created restiad community (orange marker)
Current state
A small (0.14 ha) site was developed from grazing land into restiad vegetation via a trial
established in 2006. Vegetation cover has reached 95-100% and 2 m in height. Due to the
density of Sporodanthus planting, wire rush (Empodisma minus) has been lost in many of
the plots.
Target vegetation
Giant cane rush (Sporodanthus) rushland.
Transition Empodisma-Gleichenia rushland
Walkway, interpretation sign (already installed). Possible adjacent ‘buried trampoline’
exhibit to allow visitors to experience walking on a bog (ground level bouncy surface,
either cut-down trampoline buried to ground level, or shallow water-filled butelyne
bladder. Fred the thread feature panel/ hunt for Fred activity. In later years (when
vegetation is well established on the boundary for screening) some of the manuka may be
removed to allow views from the walkway to the lake.
Unwanted species
Bracken, grey willow, blackberry, manuka
Habitat potential
Fred the Thread (already present in the giant cane rush). Fernbird, banded rail, crake
species, invertebrates. Generally little food availability in restaid bogs, the listed bird
species will use it for cover and possibly nesting.
Suggested plants
Follow the guidelines set out in the Monitoring and Management Plan for Restiad
Wetlands by Monica Peters, NZ Landcare Trust (summary in Appendix 4). Key species are
Sporodanthus ferrugineus, Empodisma minus, Epacris pauciflora, Gleichenia dicarpa,
34
Baumea teretifolia, Tetraria capillaris, Schoenus brevifolius. Potential threatened species
could inlude Dianella haematica and Baumea complanata (if a suitable source for these
rare species can be found). Adjacent and intermittent planting of flax, cabbage tree and
Coprosma shrubs.
Species of moss, liverwort, and sundews will establish naturally, including Campylopus
acuminatus subsp. kirkii moss, Goebelobryum unguiculatus liverwort, Riccardia crassa
liverwort, Sphagnum cristatum moss.
Expand into esplanade zone (see Zone H).
Action Timeline
2011
Remove hazards (wire)
Control priority weeds
Weed monitoring
point (s)
Expand area of restaid
(follow areas of lowest
topography and/or
excavate shallow layer of
peat to raise water level)
2012
Weed monitoring
Annual monitoring/
reporting
suggested species
Weed monitoring
Annual monitoring/
reporting
suggested species
Consider installing a walk
on the bog exhibit (leave
clear ground for this).
35
Zone G: Lake margins (brown marker)
Current state
This 4.5 ha zone is the whole of East Lake and the south-eastern margin of South Lake. The
vegetation is a mix of native (naturally occurring and some planted) and exotic species.
Recent removal of fringe of grey willow, some re-growth. Sedges, rushes and reeds in
wetter areas, with raupo near drain inlets (more fertile) and Eleocharis sphacelata and
Baumea articulata in the waters edge.
Target vegetation
Carex sedgeland, manuka shrubland, flaxland, swamp meadow and reedlands (already
present). Small area (s) of swamp maire treeland. Kahikatea/Carex virgata treeland (at
South Lake inlet).
Boardwalk, walkway, jetty, maimai, bird hide, seating, possibly kayak/boat launch area.
Signage about keeping lakes free of pests and pollutants. Treatment wetland (interpreted)
at inflow of South Lake (currently in scattered kahikatea).
Unwanted species
Blackberry, grey willow, gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), bracken and manuka in places
where views are desired. Non-local native plants planted in the area; kapuka (Grislinea sp)
near tall kahikatea. Some kahikatea may be thinned at the western end of South Lake to
increase view shafts.
Habitat potential
Tall-growing trees for shag roosts on lake margin, scattered.
Suggested plants
Much of the area is well vegetated and the focus is replacement planting where weeds are
removed. Where views are desired use sward-forming sedge species including Carex
virgata, Carex secta, Baumea rubiginosa, Baumea arthrophylla, Baumea teretifolia,
Phormium tenax. Where taller vegetation is desired, plant low-growing shrubland species
36
Leptospermum scoparium, Cordyline australis, Coprosma propinqua, Coprosma propinqua
x robusta, C. tenuicaulis. In wet bare areas the ground cover Pratia angulata could be
trialled (already present at the site) along with dense Juncus planifolius plantings.
Lake margin species are likely to establish/spread on their own, including Eleocharis
sphacelata, Baumea articulata, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani and aquatic
macrophytes, along with lake margin herbs and sedges including Eleocharis acuta,
Glossostigma elatinoides, Isachne globosa, Isolepis prolifer, Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae,
Pratia angulata, Baumea teretifolia, B. rubiginosa, Nertera scapanoides and Juncus
species.
Treatment wetland should be designed by suitably qualified scientists, but could take
advantage of existing kahikatea and under-plant with Carex virgata (more tolerant of dry
than C. secta).
Action Timeline
2011
Weed monitoring
point (s)
2012
Weed monitoring
Construct treatment
wetland
suggested species
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Weed monitoring
suggested species
Annual monitoring/
reporting
37
Zone H: Esplanade strip (white marker)
Current state
Mown ex-grazing land in a narrow strip (approx 20 m wide, 0.4 ha) recently acquired land
administered by Waipa District Council on the southern side of East Lake. Some areas are
damp in winter (indicated by presence of Yorkshire fog). The soil is probably peaty (being
former lake bed) but has had increased fertility from grazing (dung, urine and fertiliser
application). The land and has now been retired from grazing. It is adjacent to the lake
margin currently in 2 m manuka.
Target vegetation
Manuka/Baumea scrub/ shrubland (fen)
Baumea rubiginosa in drains
Expansion of restiad vegetation using Yorkshire fog as indicator species to delineate zone
Pa harakeke/ cultural garden
Walkway, predator fence, cultural garden. Vegetation that reaches 2-4 m is ideal to
screen the predator fence but not unduly block views for the adjacent properties. Sharp
plants (e.g. Cortaderia fulvida) on the outside of the fence will deter vandals. A mowing
strip of 4 m between the vegetation and fence should be maintained for maintenance
vehicles and to prevent breaches of the predator fence.
Unwanted species
Currently in pasture species, none of major weed potential. Weeds in the lake margin and
restiad vegetation are likely to invade this area once planted and mowing is stopped.
Those will need to be controlled and are likely to include gypsywort, blackberry and grey
willow.
Habitat potential
Fernbird habitat.
38
Suggested plants
The dominant canopy species will be manuka, but not densely planted to allow enough
light for understory to develop (aim for 60-70% cover). Scattered among will be cabbage
trees (Cordyline australis), flax (Phormium tenax), and swamp coprosma (Coprosma
propinqua, C. tenuicaulis), with Epacris pauciflora close to the restiad vegetation as a
transition.
Understory species should include ferns (Gleichenia dicarpa, Blechnum minus, Hypolepis
distans), sedges (Baumea teretifolia, Baumea arthrophylla, Baumea tenax, Tetraria
capillaris, Schoenus brevifolius, Eleaocharis acuta, Juncus planifolius and, near the restiad
vegetation, Empodisma minus), herbs (Dianella nigra, Dianella haematica). Some of these
may self establish in areas excavated and lined with fresh peat.
The shallow peaty drain crossing this area close to the existing restiad vegetation could be
planted in Baumea rubiginosa to help slow and clean water inflows.
Use the restiad community suggested species to expand the bog in the wetter area
indicated by Yorkshire fog (best delineated when the grass is flowering).
See Appendix 2 for species suitable for a cultural garden which should be developed in
conjunction with local iwi and interpretation specialists.
Action Timeline
2011
Expand the restaid bog
Plant B. rubiginosa in the
drain in autumn when it is
damp but before winter
rains.
Weed monitoring
point (s)
2012
Plant manuka shrubland and
Empodisma transition
Continue planting
Weed monitoring
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Design cultural garden
exhibit in association with
local iwi
Weed monitoring
Annual monitoring/
reporting
Create cultural garden
exhibit in association with
local iwi
39
9. Animal pest management plan
Animal pests will be identified and dealt with via the Predator Fence Feasibility and
Habitat Assessment Plan.
Rabbits and pukeko threaten new plantings, although evidence of severe damage is low.
Use larger grade plants and avoid root trainer plants that are easily uprooted by pukeko or
destroyed by rabbits.
There are no stock grazing animals in the reserve area to threaten new plantings.
10. Weed management plan
Safety first:
All herbicide use must follow manufacturer’s recommendations, safety
instructions, withholding periods, and legal requirements e.g. Approved handler
certification.
Dye should always be used to indicate where herbicide has been applied to
protect other workers/visitors to the reserve area.
Do not spray edible plants (e.g. puha, or blackberry when fruiting).
There are two broad approaches to weed control, species lead or site lead.
The species lead approach is an ideal first priority at Serpentine, to rid the site of
highly threatening or invasive species that are present in at a low density in one or
more zones.
Site lead control becomes a priority when sites are being prepared for planting,
and for the first few years after planting. Site lead control is where all exotic plants
that threaten survival of native plants or that reduce natural character are
targeted to create a natural composition.
Priority actions for existing weeds
1. Seed source – tackle weeds before they set seed, once on-site sources eliminated
look for off-site seed sources, particularly upwind, and work with owners to
remove the source
2. Target ecosystem engineers – weed species that smoother, add nitrogen, form
canopy, or strangle (climbers, ground covers), and plants that grow and reproduce
rapidly are primary targets
3. Outliers/new incursions – remove new infestations while they are manageable,
work from upwind of wind-dispersed plants
40
4. Minimise harm to plantings – fell large trees and spray extensive weed patches
before planting, use selective herbicide (e.g. metsulphuron around flax, cabbage
trees) to minimise harm to non-target plants
5. Harmful plants – control thorny, prickly, poisonous, unstable or allergy-inducing
weeds before bringing in volunteer planters, including blackberry, hawthorn,
boxthorn, privet
Preventing new weed problems
1. Prevent new incursions - plant densely, minimise bare areas, don’t clear larger
areas than can be immediately planted, minimise disturbance (e.g. if safe to do so
poison trees and leave them to rot in place).
2. Prevent re-infestation – use clean equipment/boots on site, dispose of plants that
can re-grow from fragments (use herbicides to ensure full kill, or burn, bury, or
take to approved landfill).
3. Approach land owners surrounding Lake Serpentine to control high priority weeds,
particularly grey willow 0.5 – 1 km within the lake complex as seed is wind
dispersed.
4. Monitor – keep up surveillance for new incursions/ re-growth, including for
previously recorded royal fern (Osmunda regalis) and wandering dew
(Tradescantia fluminensis).
Low priorities
1. Herbaceous annuals
2. Shade intolerant species in areas to be forested (plant densely to shade them out
and release plantings until they are tall and robust enough to outcompete them)
3. Exotic grasses. Hand release around plantings until they are established (about 3
years old), but leave in summer to retain moisture.
41
Table 4: Weed management plan.
See www.weedbusters.co.nz for detailed weed control options.
Species
Location
Control method
Timing*
Lake margin, new
plantings around lake
Fell and paste trunk with undiluted
glyphosate (10ml) or 2,4-D ester
(20ml), or vigilant gel. Or drill and
inject where standing dead trees
pose a risk to visitors or
infrastructure.
Drill and inject large stems and
trees with glyphosate/escort mix.
For smaller saplings, or where
standing dead trees pose a risk to
visitors or infrastructure, fell and
paste trunk and stem with
undiluted glyphosate (10ml) or
2,4-D ester (20ml), or vigilant gel.
Remove and burn all cut material
only once completely dead. Any
live fragments will create new
plants.
Fell and paint stump to prevent regrowth
Spring/ summer
while actively
growing
Fell and paint stump with
undiluted glyphosate (10ml) or
2,4-D ester (20ml), or vigilant gel.
Anytime,
preferably before
seed set
Spray (knapsack), try
metsulphuron around native
sedges/ flax/ cabbage trees. Take
care around native shrubs and
particular care around ferns if
using metsulfuron..
Spray: Banvine at vine rates; or
Escort at 0.5g/L water penetrant;
or Tordon BK at 6ml/L; or Tordon
Gold at 12ml/L. . None of these
herbicides can be used over or
near water.
Spray glyphosate (10ml/L) or
metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg
(5g/10L (knapsack) or 40g/100L
(spraygun)) or Tordon Brushkiller
(60ml/10L). Add penetrant to all
mixes. Do not use herbicide for
ivy growing against trees, just cut
low to ground and paint the
stump.
Summer, prior to
fruit ripening (to
ensure no toxic
residue on edible
fruit)
Autumn/ winter/
early spring –
leave in summer
to retain
moisture
Wetter periods,
A. High priority
Grey willow
Salix cinerea
Crack willow
Lake margin, new
plantings around lake
Salix fragilis
Christmas berry tree
Schinus terebinthifolius
Tasmanian blackwood
Acacia melanoxylon
Blackberry
Near East Lake margin,
along track to restiad
veg
Between young
kahikatea and East
Lake, within new
planting area
Throughout
Rubus fruticosa
Bindweed
Recent plantings, lake
margins
Calystegia hybrid
Ivy
Mature kahikatea
forest
Hedera helix
Spring/ summer
while actively
growing
Anytime,
preferably before
seed set
Spring/ summer
(plant dies down
in winter), and
only when there
is no standing
water.
Summer before it
fruits
B. Medium priority
Exotic grasses
Planted areas
Hand clear to release plantings
Bracken
Restiad vegetation
Hand-pull
42
Species
Prunus species
Woolly nightshade
Location
South-eastern margin
of East Lake
Mature kahikatea
forest
Solanum mauritianum
Stinking iris
Iris foetidissma
Hawthorn
Lycopus europaeus
Himalayan honeysuckle
Leycesteria formosa
Barberry
Timing*
Fell
easier to hand
pull from moist
soil.
Anytime
Cut and paint stumps (all year
round): Tordon Brushkiller or
triclopyr 600 EC (100ml/L) or
Vigilant gel.
Year round but
best when
actively growing
(spring/summer),
and before fruit
forms
Spring - before
seed set
Mature kahikatea
forest
Hand pull vegetation
Send seeds to approved landfill
Mature kahikatea
forest
Hand pull seedlings and leave to
rot. Cut and paste stumps with
metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg
(5g/L) or triclopyr 600 EC (50ml/L)
or Tordon Brushkiller (250ml/L).
the plant.
Hand pull small areas, spray with
garlon 360.
Any time, ideally
before seed set
Opposite side of drain
to mature Kahikatea
forest amongst new
plantings
Mature kahikatea
forest
Spray: metsulferon-methyl
600g/kg (5g/10L) or triclopyr 600
EC (30ml/10L) or Yates
Hydrocotyle Killer (15ml/L).
Hand pull.
Cut and paste stumps with Escort
(5g/L) or Tordon Brushkiller
(300ml/L).
Spring-summer
Mature kahikatea
forest
Leave to be shaded out
N/A
Mature kahikatea
forest
Leave to be shaded out
N/A
Crategous monogynai
Gypsywort
Control method
Lake margins
Berberis glaucocarpa
Any time, ideally
before seed set
Any time, ideally
before seed set
B. Low priority
Jerusalem cherry
Solanum
pseudocapsicum
Annuals and shade
intolerant grasses/ herbs
* Timing: Herbicides should be used when plants are actively growing. Therefore spring/summer
spot spraying of isolated individuals and target weeds, followed by summer/autumn large-scale
spraying is the optimum strategy. Follow up with late autumn planting (in drier areas to take
advantage of winter rains). Follow up herbicide treatment may be required for successful weed
control, therefore surveillance and monitoring are criticle.
Planting as soon after the weed removal (adhering to required withholding period if using
herbicide) will deter re-establishment of weeds. Aim to begin spray-based weed control 1-2 months
prior to planting, mechanical control no more than 1-2 weeks prior to planting. As there are no
stock at the site, withholding periods for grazing are not required. Note however the area is visited
by people, do not spray fruiting blackberry as they may be eaten by visitors.
To protect sensitive desirable plants use gel-based herbicides on larger leafed weeds, or cut and
paint stems. Care needs to be taken with gel-based herbicides that can be translocated through the
soil, such as Vigilant, that may kill surrounding desirable plants.
Overall the aim is to minimise herbicide use, spray drift and non-target damage through
appropriate method and product selection. Where appropriate, method selection from least to
most herbicide use is; hand or mechanical removal (seedlings); cut and paint; drill and inject; foliar
spray.
43
11. Planting plan
Table 5 lists the broad planting requirements per zone to guide species selection and
approximate numbers needed. For photos and descriptions of these species see
www.nzpcn.org.nz
Plant at the following densities (after Davis and Meurk 2001), remembering that the
smaller plants will be planted between the canopy trees, such that overall density should
be 10,000-40,000 plants per hectare (i.e. plants spaced at 0.5-1 m). Smaller ground cover
plants such as sedges and ferns are likely to self-establish, reducing the number of plants
required.
Plant type
Spacing (per metre)
Number per hectare
Canopy trees
Shrubs, small trees and large
tussocks
Ground cover plants (ferns,
sedges):
10-3 m
2-1 m
100-1000
2,500-10,000
0.5 m
40,000
Use this formula to calculate how many plants you need and then use the table to guide
relative proportions per species:
Size of planting area (in square metres),
divided by spacing distance (in metres),
divided again by spacing distance.
Planting tips:
1. Follow the planting guidelines in the document “Planting Natives in the Waikato
Region”. See http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Environmentalinformation/Biodiversity/Planting-guides/
2. Plant areas where weeds are removed to deter re-growth/ re-establishment
3. Use eco-sourced plants
4. Trial use of forest duff placement to establish understory in planted podocarp
stands. Collect handfuls of leaf litter and humus locally from weed-free forest
areas with landowner/manager’s permission, e.g. from the mature kahikatea
forest onsite, or nearby reserves and scatter into marked out sections the
podocarp forest to establish seed source. Monitor seedling establishment to
remove weed species.
44
Table 6: Broad planting requirements per zone
Zone
Area (sqm)
Target vegetation
A: Mown pasture
31,979
Mown pasture
Pockets of
vegetation for
wildlife
Note this is within
the predator fence
and does not
include landscaped
areas of wetland
‘garden’ at the site
entrance.
B: Young kahikatea
stand
818
Podocarp-broadleaf
forest
Species (proportions as
% of plant numbers)
Will be a few scattered
mulched pockets for
bird refuge.
Priority/ urgency
Lower priority
Most
Haloragis erecta
Dianella nigra
Uncinia species
Carex dissita
Carex lambertiana
Medium number
Phormium cookianum
Few
Alectryon excelsus
Melicytus ramiflorus
Will only be for edges
and gaps until canopy
thins. See management
zone description for
underplanting when
canopy thins
Lower priority
Most
Coprosma grandifolia
C. robusta
C. rhamnoides
C. rotundifolia
C. areolata
Pseudopanax arboreus
Melicytus ramiflorus
Medium number
Knightia excelsa
Alectryon excelsus
Laurelia novaezelandii
C: Podocarp rise
12,501
D: Mature kahikatea
forest
16,841
Podocarp-broadleaf
forest
Kahikatea semiswamp forest
Few
Eleocarpus dentatus
Cyathea medullaris
As for Zone B
Most (for understory)
Melicytus micranthus
Pennantia corymbosa
Melicope simplex
Coprosma tenuicaulis
Coprosma areolata
Coprosma rotundifolia
Streblus heterophyllus
Lower priority
Moderate priority
Medium number
Eleocarpus hookerianus
Syzigium maire
Astelia grandis
Few
45
Zone
Area (sqm)
Target vegetation
E: Recent plantings
11,416
Manuka scrub and
shrubland
Kahikatea semiswamp forest
% of plant numbers)
Nestegis cunninghamii
Prumnopitys taxifolia
Most
L. scoparium
Phormium tenax
Coprosma propinqua
C. propinqua x robusta
C. tenuicaulis
Carex virgata (near lake
margin)
Priority/ urgency
Highest priority
Medium number
Cordyline australis
Astelia grandis
Gahnia xanthocarpa
Pennantia corymbosa
Few
Dacrycarpus
dacrydioides
Dicksonia squarrosa
Elaeocarpus
hookerianus
Nestegis cunninghamii
F: Re-created restiad
veg
1,480
Sporodanthus
rushland
Empodisma –
Gleichenia rushland
Most
Sporodanthus
ferrugineus
Empodisma minus
Highest priority
Excavate in
summer
Place peat and
plant in autumn
Medium number
Gleichenia dicarpa
Tetraria capillaries
Baumea teretifolia
Few
Dianella haematica
Epacris pauciflora
G: Lake margins
45,385
Manuka scrub and
shrubland
Swamp meadow
Sedgeland
Swamp maire
treeland
Kahikatea/Carex
treeland
Most
Carex virgata
Carex secta
Baumea teretifolia
Medium number
Baumea rubiginosa
Baumea arthrophylla
L. scoparium
Juncus planifolius
Coprosma propinqua
C. propinqua x robusta
C. tenuicaulis
Few
Cordyline australis
Tetraria capillaris
Phormium tenax
Pratia angulata
46
Highest priority
Zone
Area (sqm)
Target vegetation
H: Esplanade strip
4,552
Manuka/Baumea
scrub/ shrubland
(fen)
Baumea rubiginosa
in drains
Expansion of restiad
veg
% of plant numbers)
Most
Leptospermum
scoparium (60-70%
cover)
Baumea teretifolia
Gleichenia dicarpa
Priority/ urgency
Medium priority
Medium number
Baumea rubiginosa (in
drain)
Hypolepis distans
Blechnum minus
Few
The remaining species
listed for this zone
TOTAL AREA
12.5 ha
47
12. Monitoring and reporting plan
A person should be nominated for the role of monitoring and reporting and their contact
details made available to all management/ maintenance staff involved in the site.
Monitoring should be carried out for three main reasons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Survival of planted specimens
Weed incursions
Natural regeneration / self-establishment of native species
Judge overall success and progress of the site
The results of the monitoring should prompt management action and guide future
planting/ weed control efforts.
Ideally, create a monitoring register and enter notes on failed plantings, including date,
species, approximate size, location, and reason for failure (drought, frost, rabbits, pukeko).
It is recommended this be an excel spreadsheet for quick and easy analysis (e.g. number of
deaths per species, number per zone, number per year etc). Use the record to guide future
plant and site selection.
A separate worksheet can include records on weed incursions, and notes on control
methods and outcomes.
Planted specimens
Monitoring of plant survival and growth, and surveillance for weed incursions is important,
particularly in the first 3-5 years until plants are well established and capable of outcompeting weeds.
Common causes of ill-health or death in plants include:
• Drought
• Water-logging
• Frost
• Animal damage (pulled out by pukeko, chewed by browsers or insects)
All recent plantings should be inspected after three months and any failed plantings/
unhealthy plants replaced if conditions are suitable for planting.
Annual checks should be carried out in spring (after summer drought and/or winter frost
die-off) and replacements planned for the next planting season (spring for frost tender
species and very wet areas, autumn in drier sites for hardier species).
Very sensitive and rare species should be monitored more frequently, particularly during
high stress periods, and remedial actions taken should they show any signs of ill-health or
threat from weeds. Stress periods include winter frost (usually August), flood periods, and
prolonged drought periods.
48
Valued plants showing signs of water logging (yellow foliage, pooled water) can be
removed and replanted in a drier area, or planted on low (20 cm) mounds above the water
table to allow them to adjust to the conditions. Plants showing signs of drought (shrivelled
and or dropped leaves) should be watered and/or relocated to a damper or more
sheltered site. Frost damaged plants (black or brown foliage) can be pruned of damaged
foliage and either moved to more sheltered site, or protected with a surrounding cloche
of frost or shade cloth.
Photo points should be established to show changes in community structure and
composition in the planted areas.
Self-established plants and weeds
An annual check for weed incursions and naturally established native plants, especially
new records should also be made. Summer is the ideal time when access to wet areas is
easier and plants are generally flowering (to aid identification). It is also the ideal time to
conduct weed control (when weeds are growing).
Separate specialised surveys for species such as orchids may also be arranged. The
Waikato Botanical Society may be an ideal volunteer group to carry out such surveys.
Reporting
An annual report should be prepared for the National Wetland Trust and key stakeholders
including:
• Number and species of plants put in by zone
• Newly discovered self-established weeds and native plants
• Loss of native plantings, and remedial actions taken
• Photo records for each zone
• Weed control operations in the current season
• Success (kill rate and any regeneration) of previous season’s control
13. Potential supporters and volunteers
Planting and weeding are labour-intensive jobs. The following are potential sources of
help.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Local schools
General public
Clubs – Lions/ Rotary/ Garden clubs/ Sports clubs
Environment groups (Biodiversity Forum, Forest and Bird etc)
Funders – Transpower, Trust Waikato etc
NZ Conservation Volunteers/ Volunteering Waikato
Waikato Botanical Society
Local businesses/ SBN members
49
14. References and further reading
Davis, M and C. Meurk. 2001. Protecting and Restoring our Natural Heritage – a practical
guide. Department of Conservation, Christchurch.
de Winton, M, P. Champion and C. Barker. 2007. Management Action Plan for the
Serpentine Lakes. NIWA Contract report for the Department of Conservation. Hamilton.
Denyer, K., B.R. Clarkson and B.D. Clarkson. 1999. Waikato freshwater wetland monitoring
strategy. Scoping exercise for state of the environment monitoring. Unpublished report.
Landcare Research.
Department of Conservation. 2008. Draft Waikato Conservation Management Strategy.
Department of Conservation, Hamilton.
Environment Waikato. 2005. Planting natives in the Waikato Region.
Leathwick, J., F. Morgan, G. Wilson, D. Rutledge, M. McLeod, K. Johnston. 2002. Land
Environments of New Zealand: A Technical Guide. David Bateman Publishing, Auckland.
MacGibbon, 2011. Assessment of the Restoration Potential for East Lake Serpentine and
the Feasibility of Constructing a Pest Exclusion Fence Around the Reserve. Opus
International Consultants Limited, Hamilton.
McQueen, J. and B.D. Clarkson. 2003. An Ecological Restoration Plan for Waiwhakareke
(Horseshoe Lake). CBER Scoping Report prepared for Hamilton City Council.
Peters, M.A. 2006. Action Plan: Recreating rare restiad wetland ecosystems. New Zealand
Landcare Trust. Unpublished report.
Priest, C. 2011. National Wetland Centre Landscape Masterplan. Lake Serpentine,
Ohaupo. Unpublished document prepared for the National Wetland Trust.
Thompson K. and J. Greenwood. 1997. Waipa District Peat Lake Restoration. A consultancy
report prepared for Environment Waikato.
Thompson, K and Champion, P. 1993. Esplanade Reserve Recommendations for Lakes
Serpentine, Mangahia, Rotomanuka, Ruatuna and Cameron (Waipa District). A consultancy
report prepared for Waipa District Council & Waikato Conservancy, Department of
Conservation.
Tourism Resource Consultants. 2010. National Wetland Centre Serpentine Lakes
(Rotopiko). Business Plan. Prepared for the National Wetland Trust of New Zealand.
Unpublished document.
Waipa District Council. 2007. A plan for the management of peat lakes and associated
reserves administered by the Waipa District Council. Draft report. Waipa District Council
50
Appendix 1: Legal status of land parcels at Lake Serpentine/Rotopiko
Parcel
No.
Legal
Description
Area
(Ha)
Acquisition History
Classification
1
Allotment 467,
Ngaroto Parish
[SO 50589]
30.30
Crown land set apart as a Government
purpose (wildlife management) reserve by
NZ Gazette 1983 p.570 [Document
H.457598].
Classified Government
purpose (wildlife
management) reserve subject
to the Reserves Act 1977 by
NZ Gazette 1986 p.11
[Document H.636979].
2
Allotment 470,
Ngaroto Parish
[SO 50990]
7.71
Crown land set apart as a recreation
reserve by NZ Gazette 1983 p.570
[Document H.457597].
Classified recreation reserve
subject to the Reserves Act
1977 by NZ Gazette 1984
p.5471 [Document
H.563057].
Waipa County Council appointed to
control and manage by NZ Gazette 1983
p.569.
Fee simple remains with the Crown.
3
Allotment 471,
Ngaroto Parish
[SO 49318]
0.06
Crown land set apart as a recreation
reserve by NZ Gazette 1983 p.570
[Document H.457597.
Waipa County Council appointed to
control and manage by NZ Gazette 1983
p.569.
Classified recreation reserve
subject to the Reserves Act
1977 by NZ Gazette 1984
p.5471 [Document
H.563057].
Fee simple remains with the Crown.
4
Lot 5, DP
305162
Total Area
1.11
Vested in Waipa District Council in 2002
as local purpose (esplanade) reserve on
subdivision of CT 729/223 under S.239,
Resource Management Act 1991.
Required exercising S.16(2A),
Reserves Act 1977.
39.19
51
Appendix 2: Cultural garden recommended species (Aareka Hopkins)
te tipu
te kōpaki
harakeke Phormium tenax
korekau he tīwai
hukihuki Coprosma tenuicaulis
he rakau
kahikatea Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
he rakau
kaikōmako Pennantia corymbosa
he rakau
kanono/raurekau Coprosma grandifolia
he rakau
karamū Coprosma robusta
he rakau
kiokio Blechnum novae zelandiae
he makawe o Raukatauri
kutakuta Eleocharis sphacelata
he wīwī, he toetoe
māhoe Melicytus ramiflorus
he rakau
mānuka Leptospermum scoparium
he rakau
māpou Myrsine australis
he rakau
mingimingi Coprosma propinqua
he rakau
ngārara wēhi Pyrrosia elaeagnifolia
oioi Apodasmia similis
patē Schefflera digitata
he rakau
pūrei Carex secta/virgata
pukatea Laurelia novae zelandiae
he rakau
putaputawētā Carpodetus serratus
he rakau
raupō Typha orientalis
toetoe Cortaderia toetoe
tī kōuka Cordyline australis
he rakau
tūmingi Epacris pauciflora
he rakau
tūrutu Dianella nigra
waewaekōtuku Gleichenia microphylla
wīwī Juncus planifolius
whēki Dicksonia squarrosa
26 species
13 species X 4 plants @ $20 each PB7 = $1040
13 species X 4 plants @ $10 each PB5 = $520
Delivery costs = $100
Free standing horizontal interpretation panel = $4000
Individual interpretation outlining cultural uses 20 species @$200 ea = $4000
Total = $9660
52
Appendix 3: Hamilton Ecological District peatland and lowland forest
vegetation descriptions
Extract from:
Clarkson, Bruce D., Beverley R. Clarkson, & Theresa M. Downs. 2001. Indigenous
Vegetation Types of Hamilton Ecological District. CBER Contract Report 58. University of
Waikato.
1. Tawa, rimu broadleaved-podocarp forest
Here, occasional rimu, and local miro, kahikatea, totara, and northern rata were emergent
over a canopy dominated by tawa. Other widespread broadleaved species in the canopy
included titoki, hinau, rewarewa, and pukatea. The understorey was characterised by a
variety of small trees, shrubs, and tree ferns including mahoe, pigeonwood, raurekau, and
silver fern. Ferns and grasses such as hen and chicken fern, crown fern, Hymenophyllum
demissum, and Microlaena avenacea occurred in the ground layer.
Characteristic Species
hinau (Elaeocarpus dentatus)
kamahi (Weinmannia racemosa var. racemosa)
kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides)
mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus subsp. ramiflorus)
mangeao (Litsea calicaris)
matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia)
miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea)
northern rata (Metrosideros robusta)
pigeonwood (Hedycarya arborea)
pukatea (Laurelia novae-zelandiae)
rewarewa (Knightia excelsa)
rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum)
tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa)
titoki (Alectryon excelsus)
totara (Podocarpus totara)
turepo (Streblus heterophyllus)
Life Form
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
Coprosma lucida
hangehange (Geniostoma rupestre subsp. ligustrifolium)
kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum)
pate (Schefflera digitata)
raurekau (Coprosma grandifolia)
shrub
shrub
shrub
shrub
shrub
Microlaena avenacea
Oplismenus imbecillis
grass
grass
kahakaha (Collospermum hastatum)
epiphyte
supplejack (Ripogonum scandens)
Metrosideros fulgens
liane
liane
53
M. perforata
liane
Asplenium gracillimum
Blechnum filiforme
crown fern (Blechnum discolor)
fragrant fern (Microsorum scandens)
hen and chicken fern (Asplenium bulbiferum)
Hymenophyllum demissum
Polystichum richardii
mamaku (Cyathea medullaris)
silver fern (Cyathea dealbata)
fern
fern
fern
fern
fern
fern
fern
tree fern
tree fern
Kahikatea, pukatea semi-swamp forest
Semi-swamp forest was dominated by kahikatea, but several other species were present in
varying amounts, including rimu, matai, pukatea, swamp maire, tawa, pokaka, and
occasional cabbage tree. Prominent in the understorey were silver fern, mapou,
hangehange, Coprosma areolata, and turepo, and tangles of kiekie and supplejack. The
ground cover was dominated by ferns, herbs, grasses, and sedges including
Hymenophyllum demissum, hen and chicken fern, Astelia fragrans, A. grandis, and
Microlaena avenacea.
Life Form
cabbage tree (Cordyline australis)
mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus subsp. ramiflorus)
matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia)
pokaka (Elaeocarpus hookerianus)
pukatea (Laurelia novae-zelandiae)
rewarewa (Knightia excelsa)
rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum)
swamp maire (Syzygium maire)
tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa)
turepo (Streblus heterophyllus)
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
tree
Coprosma areolata
hangehange (Geniostoma rupestre subsp. ligustrifolium)
mapou (Myrsine australis)
Melicytus micranthus
pate (Schefflera digitata)
raurekau (Coprosma grandifolia)
shrub
shrub
shrub
shrub
shrub
shrub
Carex dissita
C. lambertiana
sedge
sedge
Microlaena avenacea
Oplismenus imbecillis
grass
grass
kiekie (Freycinetia banksii)
scrambler
54
kahakaha (Collospermum hastatum)
epiphyte
Astelia fragrans
A. grandis
monocot herb
monocot herb
supplejack (Ripogonum scandens)
liane
fragrant fern (Microsorum scandens)
hen and chicken fern (Asplenium bulbiferum)
Hymenophyllum demissum
silver fern (Cyathea dealbata)
fern
fern
fern
tree fern
Peat lake margin and swamp margin
Swamp forest and shrubland on shallow peat and the outer margins of the peat bogs.
Kahikatea was the main species but individual trees were much smaller than on the better
drained soils. Cabbage tree, swamp coprosma, Coprosma propinqua, manuka, flax,
Dianella nigra, and Hypolepis distans were also relatively common.
Life Form
tree
tree
Coprosma propinqua
karamu (Coprosma robusta)
kaikomako (Pennantia corymbosa)
Leucopogon fasciculatus
manuka (Leptospermum scoparium)
pokaka (Elaeocarpus hookerianus)
swamp coprosma (Coprosma tenuicaulis)
shrub
shrub
tree/shrub
shrub
shrub
tree/shrub
shrub
Baumea huttonii
B. rubiginosa
B. tenax
B. teretifolia
Carex secta
C. virgata
Schoenus brevifolius
Tetraria capillaris
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
Dianella nigra
Sparganium subglobosum
flax (Phormium tenax)
Lobelia anceps
herb
herb
herb
herb
Blechnum minus
Hypolepis distans
wheki (Dicksonia squarrosa)
fern
fern
tree fern
55
Shrub sedgeland
Deep peat (> 1.0 m), very poorly drained. Mosaics and mixtures of low-growing shrubland
and sedgeland covered extensive areas of peatland on the peat dome margins, around
lakes, and in deeper depressions west of the Waikato River. The main species were
manuka, cabbage tree, swamp coprosma, Baumea teretifolia, B. rubiginosa, Carex secta, C.
virgata, and flax. This type is represented around parts of Lake Rotokauri, Lake Rotokaeo,
Horseshoe Lake and at the margins of Moanatuatua peat bog within Moanatuatua
Scientific Reserve.
Life Form
tree
Coprosma propinqua
swamp coprosma (Coprosma tenuicaulis)
shrub
shrub
shrub
Baumea huttonii
B. rubiginosa
B. tenax
B. teretifolia
Tetraria capillaris
Carex secta
C. virgata
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
Blechnum minus
Gleichenia dicarpa
Hypolepis distans
fern
fern
fern
Empodisma minus
Juncus planifolius
rush
rush
Dianella nigra
Drosera binata
flax (Phormium tenax)
Hydrocotyle pterocarpa
Isolepis prolifer
Lobelia anceps
Nertera scapanioides
Sparganium subglobosum
herb
herb
herb
herb
herb
herb
herb
herb
Sphagnum cristatum
Thelymitra venosa
moss
orchid
56
Restiad rushland
The peat domes with deeper peat (>1.0 m), were very poorly drained with water tables
close to the surface for most of the year. They comprised mainly herbaceous vegetation
dominated by the peat forming species Empodisma minus and Sporadanthus ferrugineus,
which are members of the jointed “rush” family (Restionaceae). Associated species
included stunted shrubs of manuka and Epacris pauciflora, sedges such as Baumea
teretifolia and Schoenus brevifolius, and mosses and liverworts such as Sphagnum
cristatum and Goebelobryum unguiculatus. The best remaining example of this vegetation
type in the Hamilton Ecological District occurs at Moanatuatua Scientific Reserve (Clarkson
et al. 1999).
Epacris pauciflora
Life Form
shrub
shrub
Baumea teretifolia
sedge
sedge
Empodisma minus
Sporadanthus ferrugineus
rush
rush
Gleichenia dicarpa
fern
Campylopus acuminatus subsp. kirkii
Sphagnum cristatum
moss
moss
Goebelobryum unguiculatus
Riccardia crassa
liverwort
liverwort
Peat lake/aquatic vegetation
The submerged vegetation here was dominated by charophytes (Nitella hookeri/cristata,
Chara corallina), pondweeds (Potamogeton ochreatus, P. cheesemanii), and milfoils
(Myriophyllum propinquum). The emergent marginal vegetation typically comprised
narrow monospecific zones of raupo, Baumea articulata, and Eleocharis sphacelata from
the lakeshore outwards.
Life Form
Baumea articulata
B. huttonii
B. rubiginosa
B. teretifolia
Carex secta
C. virgata
Cyperus ustulatus
Eleocharis acuta
E. sphacelata
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
sedge
57
Isolepis prolifer
Schoenoplectus validus
sedge
sedge
Glossostigma elatinoides
Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae
Myriophyllum propinquum
M. triphyllum
Potamogeton cheesemanii
P. ochreatus
raupo (Typha orientalis)
herb
herb
herb (submerged)
herb (submerged)
herb (submerged)
herb (submerged)
herb
Isachne globosa
grass
Chara corallina
Nitella hookeri/cristata
N. pseudoflabellata
charophyte (submerged)
charophyte
charophyte
58
Appendix 4: National Wetland Trust Restiad Peat Bog Garden
Extracts from: Monitoring and Management Plan for Restiad Wetlands by Monica Peters,
NZ Landcare Trust. No date.
Background
Restiad peat bogs dominated by Sporadanthus ferrugineus (cane rush, greater wire rush)
and Empodisma minus (wire rush) are unique to New Zealand. They are very different
from the more typical Sphagnum moss bogs that are widespread in the Northern
Hemisphere and elsewhere in the world. The Sporadanthus-Empodisma bog type was
once common throughout the northern North Island from near Kaitaia to Te Awamutu
but, because of widespread drainage, is now restricted to three sites in the Waikato
region. Several threatened species are present including Sporadanthus, host to the newlydiscovered invertebrate “Fred the Thread’ (Houdinia flexissima), black mudfish and North
Island fernbird.
Site features
The visitor will see a raised peat bog about 5m diameter and dominated by dense swards
of the >2m tall Sporadanthus. A raised (approx 1 m high) viewing platform will allow
people to view over the brown waving flower heads. A glass-fronted display case will
house a profile of Empodisma cluster roots, showing how they form peat. A second
display case will show-case interesting bog components such as carnivorous plants
(sundews and bladderworts). Appropriate interpretative signage will explain the ecological
significance of the restiad vegetation, and also focus on other threatened and interesting
species e.g., Fred the Thread, mudfish, NI fernbird. Additionally, information on the
Landcare Trust Sporadanthus restoration experiments will be included.
The Sphagnum bog garden will be located nearby to contrast the different bog types.
Garden component requirements
Site preparation
The site will need to be cleared of existing vegetation (exotic pasture grasses and weeds)
and leveled prior to planting. This will require herbicide application to existing plants) and
then excavation to form a shallow basin which will be filled with peat.
Hydrology
The site will need a water-isolating liner to line the shallow basin, and to keep the peat
isolated from the nutrient-rich groundwater. Additional water (rainwater, which is low in
nutrients) may be need to assist with plant establishment in the first 12 months or so,
especially in summer.
Species
Key species will include Sporadanthus ferrugineus, Empodisma minus, Epacris pauciflora.
Gleichenia dicarpa, Drosera binata, D. spathulata, native Utricularia spp.
Features
There are no extra features required for this garden
On site interpretation
Free standing signage, and display cases with signage
59

Re-vegetation plan - National Wetland Trust

Transcription

Similar documents

Fitger`s Lake View Office

Captain Geech

Presented by:

Brant Lake Getaway

to the article. - The FUND for Lake George

Loyalist Township - County of Lennox and Addington

WE ARE THE PLACE TO CHILL AT THE LAKE

Get Your Kicks this Fall with LWYSA!

chantecler 16-a, las fuentes — $118,00 usd steffen features

Sherando Flyer - Virginia Hemophilia