Botanist Newsletter
Issue No. 19, July to August 1998
Monitoring of Ecological Heritage Sites
Site visits were made to the following sites, as part of the monitoring required under the Resource Management Act:
- EHS 14.08 Cockayne Reserve
- EHS 32.04 Godley Head, south slope
Wetlands Database
Water Services held a workshop to collect information on the location of wetlands within Christchurch and to discuss what information needs to be collected about each. A number of additional wetland sites were identified.
Wetlands Map
In preparation for the wetland database workshop, a map of all of the known sites with some wetland vegetation was compiled from the Natural Areas database. Approximately 180 sites that had some wetland vegetation, including approx. 120 riparian areas, were identified. The sites range considerably in size and type.
1856 Vegetation
In 1856 Christchurchs "waterways, swamps and vegetation cover" was recorded on the "Black Maps". In 1989 the maps were compiled by Ken Sibly onto one map, which is now available on the GIS in both Microstation and MapInfo formats. This information can now easily be combined with other layers on the councils network - an example is the wetlands map above.
Boneseed pamphlet
Canterbury Regional Council have produced a pamphlet that provides information on how to identify boneseed and how to control it. Copies are available from the rangers, the Parks Unit and directly from the CRC.
Boneseed is a particular problem in coastal areas and it has become common in the Sumner area. The CRC are currently considering upgrading boneseed from a "surveillance plant pest" to a "containment control plant pest".
MfE
Ministry for the Environment are interviewing various councils regarding their experiences in implementing Section 6(c) of the Resource Management Act. This section relates to Matters of National Importance and The protection of areas of significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitats of indigenous fauna.
Part of the CCC’s implementation has been through identifying the Ecological Heritage Sites in the City Plan as well as the Rural 6 grassland zone.
A range of approaches have been taken by various councils and MfE will be producing a report with some examples of ‘best practice’ ideas.
Taylors Mistake Valley
A botanical survey was carried out for the damp grassland located behind the car park at Taylors Mistake. The area has rushes, sedges and silver tussock. It will be monitored to determine the appropriate level of grazing.
Armillaria survey
Staff at the Botanic Gardens are carrying out treatment of a number of trees for the fungus Armillaria. A form has been designed to enable recording of the relevant information as trees are treated and monitored.
Landcare Projects
Landcare recently gave a presentation on the various projects that they are involved in, to which the CCC has contributed funding. The topics included an assessment of the waterway enhancement project, Colin Meurks study tour, the colonisation by insects of restoration plantings and public attitudes to exotic and indigenous vegetation. The information presented will be compiled into a report.
Grazing of Reserves on the Port Hills
Fencing requirements are being considered so that appropriate budgets can be sought. Determining appropriate grazing levels for the various reserves will be the most difficult part of this project.
Weed Team
Work on a booklet of weed species along Christchurch Waterways continues. A "Weed Team" of staff from various parts of the CCC and from the CRC has been set up to advance this project.
Bird Booklet
Work is continuing on this pamphlet. Information has been compiled on which plants kereru (NZ wood pigeon) and bellbirds eat, and when various plant species flower and fruit.
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