Important Natural Landscapes (Boffa Miskell, 2013)

75have been installed to link Amberley and LeithfieldBeach, extending the network of tracks along thecoastal reserve linking the Mimimoto Lagoon to theWaipara River. The coastal fringe contains rich farmland, settlements and associated recreation facilities,such as a golf course in Amberley Beach. The levelof modification within the coastal environment is,therefore, higher than along the inaccessible Hurunuicoastline.Terrestrial Biotic SystemsAmberley Beach has a stable gravel area in theform of old beach ridges, rather than dunes locatedimmediately behind the beach. These are colonisedby scattered plants, such as shrubs, vines, grasses andherbs. These well-drained gravelly sites are exposedto salt spray during storms and very hot and dry insummer, which limits plant growth. The restorationof coastal wetlands in the northern part of PegasusBay has ecological benefits. The river mouth/coastallagoons described above and the coastal AshworthsPonds serve as sea and shorebird habitats.Land Cover and Land UseThe land cover on the dunes and coastal fringe isgenerally dominated by exotic species. In the centraland southern section agricultural land use, settlementsand recreational facilities (golfcourse) are encroachingtowards the dunes. The lagoons/ wetlands and riversare generally lined by willows, but restoration effortshave been undertaken to remove some of them. Exoticconifer plantations occur along the inland side of thedunes south of the Kowai River.RAFTSECTION DMimimoto Lagoon shortly south of the Waipara River.Northern extent of Pegasus Bay.Hurunui District | 2013