Abel Tasman Foreshore Scenic Reserve Draft Management Plan

3. Conservation of natural resources
Natural resources include unique species and special places that are appreciated and
enjoyed for their intrinsic values, for what they offer to future generations, and for
their contribution towards our identity as New Zealanders. Many of the natural
features of the Abel Tasman coastline contribute to New Zealand’s international
reputation as a country with outstanding natural values.
The coastal area is characterised by a mild climate with sea breezes, summer
droughts and some winter frosts. Average annual rainfall is between 1400 and 1800
mm, and rain falls on average 125 days per year. The coastline is one of the sunniest
in the country, with approximately 2200 hours of sunshine per year. The average
maximum summer temperature is 24 o C, with overnight minimums of approximately
13 o C. Winter temperatures range from an average maximum of 12.5 o C to a minimum
of 4 o C. During late spring and throughout summer the coast can be subjected to
strong westerly winds, particularly in the afternoon. The autumn and winter months
are generally calmer, but the occasional storm does occur.
3.1 Terrestrial, freshwater and marine species, habitats and
ecosystems
The Abel Tasman coastal marine environment is relatively free of the modifications
and impacts more commonly found around the coastal margins of New Zealand. The
estuaries are largely intact and are protected from sedimentation and pollution
normally associated with human activities, as the streams and rivers flow from
untouched and regenerating forested catchments. The rocky shores are, in most parts
of the reserve, backed by a continuous cover of indigenous forest or scrub that is
protected within Abel Tasman National Park. This intact ecological continuity
between the sea, estuaries, rivers and the land is relatively rare in many parts of New
Zealand.
The dominant granite bedrock and a marine environment free of oceanic swells
provide habitats and ecological associations of national and international scientific
interest. The Abel Tasman coast is a discrete area where the full range of the
relatively diverse Tasman Bay and Golden Bay shore types is represented. The nine
broad intertidal habitats and substrates that are present in or associated with the
reserve are described below. These ecosystems are all connected and inter-related.
(i)
Soft shores
Two types of soft shore habitats are present within the reserve: estuaries; and the
open coast beaches and spits. Estuaries are partially enclosed by land, sand spits, or
bars, and receive freshwater from streams and salt water from the sea. Within
estuarine areas, there are four substrate categories (coarse sand, sand, fine sand and
mud) and two plant assemblage types (eelgrass beds and salt marsh/herbfields).
Fifteen estuaries are present in the reserve, ranging in size from 290 ha (Awaroa
Inlet) to less than one hectare. Open coast beaches and spits are soft shores exposed
to the open sea. They are dominated by sand or coarse sand, depending on the degree
of exposure or wave action. Soft shore habitats comprise 87% of the reserve
(estuaries 67% and open coast 20%).
3. Conservation of natural resources 19