Middle Hill Pastoral Lease - Land Information New Zealand

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“RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT” hardwood forest remnant in lower Wharekiri Stream supports the threatened fierce lancewood, a healthy population of black maire near its southern limit, and a diverse range of lowland species that are absent or uncommon on other parts of the property, such as pigeonwood, supplejack and the fern Lastreopsis velutina. SUMMARY An important feature of Middle Hill Pastoral Lease is the extent of the cover of indigenous woody vegetation. All parts of the property other than the ‘front country’ at the northeast corner of the property and gentler country on the main ridges support intact or regenerating indigenous vegetation. While much of this indigenous cover is kanuka scrub or low forest and not highly representative of the original vegetation, it contains elements of the original plant communities and has high naturalness values. It is also contiguous with areas of intact or regenerating indigenous vegetation to the north and west of the property, collectively forming one of the most extensive remaining areas of indigenous forest on the east coast of the South Island. Forest communities on western parts of the property (west of Devils Lookout) are especially significant. These communities are intact except for the effects of relatively high populations of introduced animals. Intact or regenerating forest remnants elsewhere on the property are generally diverse, support a number of typically lowland species and, in lower Wharekiri Stream, support populations of threatened and uncommon species. Rockland (greywacke and limestone outcrops) plant communities are also significant. They support plant communities that are highly representative of the original vegetation at these sites, a number of threatened species and several species that are endemic to South Marlborough. Wetlands observed on the property are also significant as they support vegetation that is representative of that present in the original plant communities and are relatively uncommon in South Marlborough. These significant plant communities are linked and buffered by an almost complete cover of regenerating indigenous woody vegetation. If this regenerating vegetation is protected from disturbance, including the effects of high populations of introduced animals, it will eventually form a large contiguous area of indigenous forest of very high conservation value. The rapid rate of natural regeneration of indigenous woody vegetation on the property, and the way in which this vegetation links and buffers more intact indigenous plant communities, means that vegetation on a large part of the property must be considered to have significant inherent values. Populations of several notable plant species are present on the property, including three species listed as ‘chronically threatened’ (gradual decline) by de Lange et al (2004), four listed as ‘at risk’, three as ‘data deficient’, and a further four species regarded as locally endemic or uncommon. CHCCO-70334 - Middle Hill CRR 20-5-2005 19
“RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT” 2.4.4 Problem Plants Introduced plants that may have an important effect on indigenous plant communities on the property, and that can be controlled or contained, are listed and discussed below. Other ubiquitous naturalised species for which containment or control are probably impractical, such as mouse-ear hawkweed and pasture grasses, are not discussed here but are listed in the vegetation descriptions. Backcountry parts of the property appear free of significant conservation weeds. Buddleia and broom are present in the stream beds adjoining the property, though are common only in the lower reaches of the streams. However, a number of significant conservation weeds are present on ‘front country’ parts of the property, notably old man’s beard, privet, cotoneaster, stinking iris, stonecrop, ivy, rowan and snapdragon. Other less significant or extensive weed species observed on the ‘front country’ include foxglove, thistles, viper’s bugloss, wilding pines, gooseberry, elderberry and gorse. Old man’s beard Observed at two locations: on the small terrace in lower Miller Stream where tall kanuka has been felled, and at the southwest end of the southern limestone outcrop. These infestations pose a major threat to indigenous plant communities in the area through spread by windblown seed. The infestations should be removed. Cotoneaster, privet, hawthorn and rowan Infestations of these species were observed on and around the limestone outcrops. They pose a significant threat to limestone plant communities and to other vegetation in the area through spread of seeds by birds. Infestations should be removed. Stonecrop Observed on and around the limestone outcrops. These infestations pose a threat to limestone plant communities and to other low-stature plant communities in the area through spread by windblown seed. Stonecrop is difficult to control. Snapdragon Observed on the limestone outcrops. These infestations pose a significant threat to limestone plant communities. The infestations should be contained or removed. Stinking iris Observed in alluvial forest and scrub on the eastern margin of the property where, in some places, it forms the dominant ground cover. These infestations pose a significant threat to lowland plant communities and to other plant communities in the area through spread of seeds by birds. Buddleia Observed in stream beds adjoining the property, and on stream banks and bluffs on the property. Only isolated plants were observed in the upper stream beds, but it forms dense stands in the lower parts of Miller and Wharekiri Streams. Isolated infestations should be removed from the upper valleys, and denser infestations contained in lower valleys. CHCCO-70334 - Middle Hill CRR 20-5-2005 20
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Middle Hill Pastoral Lease - Land Information New Zealand

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