DOCSLIB.ORG

Tamatea/Dusky Sound Conservation and Restoration Plan 2016

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tamatea/Dusky Sound Conservation and Restoration Plan 2016 Tamatea/Dusky Sound Conservation & Restoration Plan TAMATEA/DUSKY SOUND CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION PLAN Prepared by Wildland Consultants Ltd. and the Department of Conservation, Fiordland District, 2016. ‘Mō tātou, ā mō kā uri ā muri ake nei’ ‘For us and our children after us’ “… [Resolution and Secretary] islands are peculiarly suitable for birds, such as pigeons, kākā, ducks, and particularly kiwi” (Martin H. 1885: The protection of native birds. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 18: 112-117) “Our kiwi, with our kākāpo, are being wiped out of existence … the day of the wingless bird is over. Save only on our sanctuary islands are the birds common, on Stewart Island, Resolution Island, Kapiti, and the Barriers” (Fulton 1907: The disappearance of the New Zealand birds. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 40: 485-500) 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report comprises an integrated ecological conservation and restoration plan for the Tamatea/Dusky Sound project area, which includes all of the terrestrial and marine ecosystems within Tamatea/Dusky Sound, Breaksea Sound, Wet Jacket Arm, and Acheron Passage, including important mainland buffer zones which have intrinsic values, provide additional high quality habitat, and will enhance the protection of established or proposed pest control areas. This plan contains a strategic assessment of where to direct conservation effort, and why. Tamatea/Dusky Sound has a significant human history, but light human footprint. Remains of cave dwellings, ovens, storage pits, huts, canoes, tools, and middens demonstrate seasonal Māori occupation prior to European colonisation. Waitaha, Ngati Mamoe and Ngāi Tahu are the first peoples known to be associated with Tamatea/Dusky Sound. For centuries, and prior to Europeans, these people visited the area to harvest the rich resources found in the many fiords. Over time and in common with the traditional place-naming practices, landscape features have received the names of tupuna (ancestors). In Ngāi Tahu tradition the fiords are the raised sides of Te Waka o Aoraki. The tupuna Aoraki, along with his brothers came to visit their step-mother Papatūānuku. Before their return to the heavens and as a result of Aoraki reciting an incorrect karakia, they became stranded when their waka overturned. The waka foundered and over a long time, its passengers were turned to stone. Aoraki and his brothers stand sentinel as the highest peaks of Te Tiritiri o te Moana (the Southern Alps). Another tupuna, Tu Te Rakiwhanoa, with one foot on Ka Tu Waewae o Tu (Secretary Island at the entrance of Doubtful Sound) and the other on Mauikatau (Resolution Island) used his ko (digging stick) to carve out the fiords. Later, Tamatea, the great Māori explorer from the north travelling aboard the waka Takitimu, named the broken land ‘Te Rua-o-te-moko’. This likened the deeply gouged coast with the art of moko or tattoo. Tamatea is now the name conferred on Dusky Sound. Today, Ngāi Tahu retains this strong traditional association and exercises its kaitiaki responsibilities alongside the Department of Conservation through a Treaty Partner relationship. European history includes the mooring of Captain Cook’s vessel in Tamatea/Dusky Sound for five weeks in 1773, the first landing of a European sealing gang on Anchor Island in 1792, the first European shipwreck in Facile Harbour, the reservation of many Fiordland coastal islands in the early 1890s, and a pioneering attempt by Richard Henry to protect indigenous bird populations by transferring them from the mainland to Resolution Island in the late 1890s to early 1900s. Tamatea/Dusky Sound, along with the other fiords, was a cornerstone of New Zealand’s early tourism industry from the 1870s. Current human activities in the Tamatea/Dusky Sound area include commercial fishing, commercial venison recovery, recreational fishing, tourism (including cruise ships), tramping, and hunting. Management of the project area and its values is governed by a range of statutes and agencies, which requires coordinated action to achieve objectives, particularly those relating to the marine environment. There is a statutory acknowledgement applying to Te Mimi o Tu Te Rakiwhanoa (Fiordland Coastal Marine Area) recognising Ngāi Tahu's cultural, spiritual, historic, and traditional association to this area. Terrestrial habitats 4 are part of Fiordland National Park, while marine habitats are mainly unprotected but include a mix of marine reserves, commercial exclusion zones, ‘china shops’ (where anchoring is restricted, to protect fragile encrusting communities), and open seas. The marine environment is representative of western Fiordland fiords and fiord complexes. It is characterised by extremes of salinity, wave action, and irradiance that, together, influence patterns in productivity. The coastline is generally steep, rocky, and exposed. The fiords are full of coves and contain numerous islands and islets, the largest of which is Resolution Island (20,890 ha). Over 700 islands are present in the project area, but the vast majority are very small. Forty-three islands are larger than 4 ha, 28 are larger than 10 ha, and only six are larger than 100 ha. The only invasive marine species known is the seaweed Undaria. Indigenous vegetation cover across the project area is intact, although its composition is being adversely affected by red deer browse damage. The possum-free status of islands in the project area means that indigenous pikiraki/mistletoe assemblages are essentially undisturbed, although at relatively low abundance. Podocarp and tawhai/beech forest covers most of the terrestrial surface, with subalpine scrub above the treeline and alpine tussock grassland at higher elevations. Mānuka and Chionochloa acicularis are locally dominant in poorly-drained lowland habitats, mostly on peat. Coastal scrub and herbfield occur extensively on exposed coastal sites. One Threatened, nineteen At Risk and four other notable vascular plant species have been recorded within the project area. Fourteen Threatened, 29 At Risk, five Coloniser or Migrant, and 20 Not Threatened indigenous bird species have been recorded in the area, including a wide range of seabirds and forest birds. The At Risk Fiordland skink is well known from the area. Eight indigenous fish species (five classified as At Risk) and koura have been recorded in freshwater habitats. Several important terrestrial invertebrates, including eight At Risk taxa, are present within and near the project area. The Tamatea/Dusky Sound project area also supports significant kekeno/seal colonies and a population of terehu/bottlenose dolphin with Critically Endangered status. There are no substantial populations of any terrestrial weeds of conservation concern and no known aquatic weed species. Gorse is present but has a limited distribution. Terrestrial indigenous fauna populations are threatened by introduced pest animals, particularly stoats and rodents. However, most of the islands in Tamatea/Dusky Sound have never been invaded by possums, and some islands have had few or none of the four rodent species or stoats, and are in near pristine condition. Successful pest animal eradications have been undertaken for Norway rat (Hawea Island and Breaksea Island), stoats and deer (Anchor Island and its outlying islands), and Norway rats (Indian Island). Stoat and deer control is currently undertaken on Resolution Island and stoat control has recently begun on Long Island. Deer are still present on Resolution Island, although numbers have been greatly reduced. In total, approximately 1,500 ha of island habitats are free of pest animals, while another 25,000 ha have reduced pest assemblages, especially Resolution Island which is free from possums and rats, and where control (and potential eradication) of mustelids and deer is being actively pursued. This island assemblage is a very significant conservation 5 resource in its own right, having an intact cover of primary indigenous vegetation, a diverse range of habitats, and direct linkages to marine protected areas; adding considerable strategic weight to any conservation activities undertaken in the Tamatea/Dusky Sound project area. This plan sets out four conservation and restoration goals: Goal 1: Natural ecosystems, ecological processes, and species are protected by eliminating or controlling to sufficiently low densities terrestrial pest species and by preventing the establishment of new pest species. Goal 2: Terrestrial ecosystems within the Tamatea/Dusky Sound project area are enhanced through reintroduction of missing (or analogue) species, and biodiversity information gaps are progressively filled. Goal 3: Marine ecological functions, habitats, and populations of indigenous species within the Tamatea/Dusky Sound project area are protected and marine- terrestrial interactions are enhanced and marine biodiversity information gaps are progressively filled. Goal 4: As the Treaty Partner Ngāi Tahu is involved in the strategic direction of the Tamatea/Dusky Sound conservation and restoration project. Stakeholders and community are also engaged in and support all aspects of the project. Historic, cultural, and recreational values are not significantly diminished by biodiversity conservation actions, and biodiversity values are not compromised by visitor use. Fifty-nine objectives and associated actions have been developed in order to achieve these goals. The objectives cover vegetation and habitat mapping, pest animal
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Wildlife Act 1953
    Reprint as at 7 August 2020 Wildlife Act 1953 Public Act 1953 No 31 Date of assent 31 October 1953 Commencement see section 1(2) Contents Page Title 7 1 Short Title and commencement 7 2 Interpretation 7 2A Meaning of possession 14 2B Application of certain provisions restricted 15 Part 1 Protection of wildlife 3 Wildlife to be protected 15 4 Certain wildlife declared to be game 16 5 Certain wildlife partially protected 16 6 Certain wildlife may be hunted subject to conditions imposed by 16 the Minister 7 Certain wildlife not protected 17 7A Wild animals 17 7B Terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates 18 7BA Marine species 18 7C Farming certain unprotected animals 18 8 Alteration of schedules 19 Note Changes authorised by subpart 2 of Part 2 of the Legislation Act 2012 have been made in this official reprint. Note 4 at the end of this reprint provides a list of the amendments incorporated. This Act is administered by the Department of Conservation. 1 Reprinted as at Wildlife Act 1953 7 August 2020 Wildlife sanctuaries 9 Wildlife sanctuaries 19 10 All wildlife in sanctuaries absolutely protected 23 11 Destruction or seizure of certain animals found in sanctuaries 24 12 Mining privileges, coal mining rights, and public works 24 [Repealed] 13 Seizure of wildlife, etc, illegally taken 24 Wildlife refuges 14 Wildlife refuges 25 Wildlife management reserves 14A Wildlife management reserves 28 14AA Granting of concessions in wildlife sanctuaries, wildlife refuges, 30 and wildlife management reserves Management planning 14B Wildlife areas to be
    [Show full text]
  • Entomology of the Aucklands and Other Islands South of New Zealand: Lepidoptera, Ex­ Cluding Non-Crambine Pyralidae
    Pacific Insects Monograph 27: 55-172 10 November 1971 ENTOMOLOGY OF THE AUCKLANDS AND OTHER ISLANDS SOUTH OF NEW ZEALAND: LEPIDOPTERA, EX­ CLUDING NON-CRAMBINE PYRALIDAE By J. S. Dugdale1 CONTENTS Introduction 55 Acknowledgements 58 Faunal Composition and Relationships 58 Faunal List 59 Key to Families 68 1. Arctiidae 71 2. Carposinidae 73 Coleophoridae 76 Cosmopterygidae 77 3. Crambinae (pt Pyralidae) 77 4. Elachistidae 79 5. Geometridae 89 Hyponomeutidae 115 6. Nepticulidae 115 7. Noctuidae 117 8. Oecophoridae 131 9. Psychidae 137 10. Pterophoridae 145 11. Tineidae... 148 12. Tortricidae 156 References 169 Note 172 Abstract: This paper deals with all Lepidoptera, excluding the non-crambine Pyralidae, of Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes and Snares Is. The native resident fauna of these islands consists of 42 species of which 21 (50%) are endemic, in 27 genera, of which 3 (11%) are endemic, in 12 families. The endemic fauna is characterised by brachyptery (66%), body size under 10 mm (72%) and concealed, or strictly ground- dwelling larval life. All species can be related to mainland forms; there is a distinctive pre-Pleistocene element as well as some instances of possible Pleistocene introductions, as suggested by the presence of pairs of species, one member of which is endemic but fully winged. A graph and tables are given showing the composition of the fauna, its distribution, habits, and presumed derivations. Host plants or host niches are discussed. An additional 7 species are considered to be non-resident waifs. The taxonomic part includes keys to families (applicable only to the subantarctic fauna), and to genera and species.
    [Show full text]
  • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Part I, II, Vol-II
    CENSUS OF INDIA 1921 VOLUME II THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS Part I--REPORT Part II-TABLES BY R. F. LQWIS, Superintendent of Census Operations ( • OALOUTTA SUPERINTENDENT GOVERNMENT PRINTING, INDIA , 1923 [ Price Rs. 5 or English 68, 8d. ] - Agents for the Sale of Books published by the Superintendent of Government Printing India, Calcutta. IN EUROPE. Constable & Co., 10, Orange Street, Leicester Square, W. Thacker & Co., 2, Creed Lane, London, E.C. T. Fisher Unwin, Ltd., 1, Adelphi Terrace, London, London, W.O. W.C. Ke"an Paul, Trench, Trlibner & Co., 68-74, Carter Lane, Wheldon. and Wesley Ltd., 2, 3 & 4, Arthur Street, ,New o B.C., and 39, New Oxford Street, London, w.e. I Oxford Street, London, W.O. 2. , Ilernard Quaritch, 11, Grafton Street, New Bond Strcet, B. H. Blackwell, 50 &: 51, Broad Stree·~bx!ord. London, W. Deighton Bell & Co., Ltd., Cambridge .. " 1'. S. King & Sons, 2 & 4, Great Smith Street, West. Oliver and Boyd, Tweeddale Court, Edfhburgh. minster, London, S.W. E. POIlSonby, Ltd., 116, Grafton Street, Dublin. 11. S. King & Co., 65, Comhlll, E.C., and 9, Pall Mall, Ernest Leroux, 28, RUIl Bonaparte, Parla. London, W. Martinns Nijhoff, The Hague, Holland. Grlndla17 & Co., 54, Parliament Street, London, S.W. otto Harra.s.sowitz, Leipzig. Lnzac & Co., 46, Great Russeli Strect, London, W. C. Friedlander and Sohn, Berlin. llf INDIA AID. CEYLON. Thacker, Spink & Co., Calcutta and Simla. Mangaldas Harkisandas, Surat.• Newman & Co., Ltd.. Calcutta. ,Karsandas Narandas & Sons, Surat. R. Cambray & Co., Calcutta. A. H. Wheeler & Co., Allahabad, Calcutta and S. K. Lahiri & Co., Calcutta.
    [Show full text]
  • Beginners' Guide to Macro Moths: Te Hiku
    NZ moths are special many whakatauki written about the Why we need to trap the moths Why do we need to study moths? More than 86% of the known moths caterpillar and its capacity to eat. Who benefits from Moths are mainly out at night, so Moths breed fast and have lots of in NZ are endemic. They only occur studying moths? most people don’t see how many offspring. There are lots of different in NZ so we have to look after A more recent pest is the codling there are or what’s happening moth species playing different roles them.. moth (Cydia pomonella). Introduced to them. Unfortunately we need in the ecosystem. Moths have links Beginners’ Guide to Society from Europe, it attacks apples, You & I specimens for identification. to lots of other species (e.g. plants, Macro Moths Why are moths important? pears, walnuts, and other fruit. birds, introduced pests, other Moths are a key part of the wider Nature Why we need standardised data invertebrates). Moths have a bad reputation for ecosystem and they sit in the If we all use the same type of trap eating clothes, especially natural centre of a complex food web. The (e.g. a Heath Moth Trap) we can If something is changing in the Te Hiku fibres like wool, silk, and fur. In caterpillars are herbivores eating a compare data from different places ecosystem, moths are amongst reality there are very few moth range of native plants. and over time. With standardised the first creatures to respond. They species whose caterpillars eat Education information we can all work are likely to be good indicators of clothes.
    [Show full text]
  • North Andaman (Diglipur) Earthquake of 14 September 2002
    Reconnaissance Report North Andaman (Diglipur) Earthquake of 14 September 2002 ATR Smith Island Ross Island Aerial Bay Jetty Diglipur Shibpur ATR Kalipur Keralapuran Kishorinagar Saddle Peak Nabagram Kalighat North Andaman Ramnagar Island Stewart ATR Island Sound Island Mayabunder Jetty Middle Austin Creek ATR Andaman Island Department of Civil Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Kanpur 208016 Field Study Sponsored by: Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi Printing of Report Supported by: United Nations Development Programme, New Delhi, India Dissemination of Report by: National Information Center of Earthquake Engineering, IIT Kanpur, India Copies of the report may be requested from: National Information Center for Earthquake Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Kanpur 208016 www.nicee.org Email: [email protected] Fax: (0512) 259 7866 Cover design by: Jnananjan Panda R ECONNAISSANCE R EPORT NORTH ANDAMAN (DIGLIPUR) EARTHQUAKE OF 14 SEPTEMBER 2002 by Durgesh C. Rai C. V. R. Murty Department of Civil Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Kanpur 208 016 Sponsored by Department of Science & Technology Government of India, New Delhi April 2003 ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are sincerely thankful to all individuals who assisted our reconnaissance survey tour and provided relevant information. It is rather difficult to name all, but a few notables are: Dr. R. Padmanabhan and Mr. V. Kandavelu of Andaman and Nicobar Administration; Mr. Narendra Kumar, Mr. S. Sundaramurthy, Mr. Bhagat Singh, Mr. D. Balaji, Mr. K. S. Subbaian, Mr. M. S. Ramamurthy, Mr. Jina Prakash, Mr. Sandeep Prasad and Mr. A. Anthony of Andaman Public Works Department; Mr. P. Radhakrishnan and Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Eradication of Stoats (Mustela Erminea) from Secretary Island, New Zealand
    McMurtrie, P.; K-A. Edge, D. Crouchley, D. Gleeson, M.J. Willans, and A.J. Veale. Eradication of stoats (Mustela erminea) from Secretary Island, New Zealand Eradication of stoats (Mustela erminea) from Secretary Island, New Zealand P. McMurtrie1, K-A. Edge1, D. Crouchley1, D. Gleeson2, M. J. Willans3, and A. J. Veale4 1Department of Conservation, Te Anau Area Office, PO Box 29, Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 0640, New Zealand. <[email protected]>. 2Landcare Research, PB 92170, Auckland, NZ. 3The Wilderness, RD Te Anau-Mossburn Highway, Te Anau, NZ. 4School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland 1142, NZ. Abstract Stoats (Mustelia erminea) are known to be good swimmers. Following their liberation into New Zealand, stoats reached many of the remote coastal islands of Fiordland after six years. Stoats probably reached Secretary Island (8140 ha) in the late 1800s. Red deer (Cervus elaphus) are the only other mammalian pest present on Secretary Island; surprisingly, rodents have never established. The significant ecological values of Secretary Island have made it an ideal target for restoration. The eradication of stoats from Secretary Island commenced in 2005. Nine-hundred-and-forty-five stoat trap tunnels, each containing two kill traps, were laid out along tracks at a density of 1 tunnel per 8.6 ha. Traps were also put in place on the adjacent mainland and stepping-stone islands to reduce the probability of recolonisation. Pre-baiting was undertaken twice, first in June and then in early July 2005. In late July, the traps were baited, set and cleared twice over 10 days.
    [Show full text]
  • Andaman Islands, India
    Journal of Global Change Data & Discovery. 2019, 3(4): 398-405 © 2019 GCdataPR DOI:10.3974/geodp.2019.04.15 Global Change Research Data Publishing & Repository www.geodoi.ac.cn Global Change Data Encyclopedia Andaman Islands, India Shen, Y.1 Liu, C.1* Shi, R. X.1 Chen, L. J.2 1. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; 2. National Geomatics Center of China, Beijing 100830, China Keywords: Andaman Islands; Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Bay of Bengal; Indian Ocean; India; data encyclopedia Andaman Islands is the main part of the An- daman and Nicobar Islands. It belongs to the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and its geo-location is 10°30′39″N–13°40′36″N, 92°11′55″E–94°16′ 38″E[1]. It is located between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea (Figure 1). It is separated from Coco Islands[2] by Coco Chanel at its north, and from Nicobar Islands[3] by Ten De- gree Chanel at its south. The Andaman Islands consists of Great Andaman Archipelago[4], Lit- tle Andaman Group[5], Ritchie’s Archipelago[6], [7] [8] East Volcano Islands and Sentinel Islands Figure 1 Map of Andaman Islands (Figure 2), with a total of 211 islands (islets, [1] (.kmz format) rocks) . The total area of the Andaman Islands is 5,787.79 km2, and the coastline is 2,878.77 km. Great Andaman Archipelago is the main part of Andaman Islands, and is the largest Ar- chipelago in Andaman Islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Stoat Eradication
    Resolution Island Operational Plan Stoat Eradication SOUTHLAND CONSERVANCY 2008 Resolution Island Operational Plan Stoat Eradication Pete Mc Murtrie, Kerri-Anne Edge, Dave Crouchley and Murray Willans 2008 Published by Department of Conservation PO Box 743 Invercargill, New Zealand Publ.info. Cover: Mount Clerke Bivvy, Resolution Island, Fiordland National Park Photo: Pete Kirkman, DOC © Copyright 2008, New Zealand Department of Conservation ISBN 978-0-478-14433-8 (hardcopy) ISBN 978-0-478-14434-5 (web PDF) Te Anau Area Office Internal Report In the interest of forest conservation we support paperless electronic publishing. When printing, recycled paper is used wherever possible. CONTENTS 1.0 Executive Summary 5 2.0 Introduction 2.1 Island description 6 2.2 Threat status 7 2.3 Island classification 7 2.4 Treasury funding for Secretary and Resolution Islands 8 2.5 Key learning points from previous stoat eradication programmes 8 2.6 Programme objectives 9 2.7 Operational objectives 10 3.0 Set-up Phase 11 3.1 Trap lines 11 3.2 Bivvies 14 3.3 Communications 14 3.4 Transportation 14 3.5 Trap design and layout 14 3.5.1 Trap choice 14 3.5.2 Tunnels 15 3.5.3 Tunnel placement 18 4.0 Knockdown Phase 20 4.1 Timing of knockdown 20 4.2 Pre-baiting 20 4.3 Bait type 20 4.4 Trapping 21 4.5 Data collection during knock-down 22 5.0 Maintenance Phase 23 5.1 Managing re-invasion 23 5.2 Timing of trap checks 25 6.0 Monitoring and Programme Evaluation 26 6.1 Result monitoring 26 6.2 Outcome Monitoring 27 7.0 Quarantine Management 28 8.0 Milestones 30 9.0 References 32 10.0 Internal Department of Conservation documents 34 Appendix 1 35 Appendix 2 36 Appendix 3 37 Appendix 4 38 Appendix 5 40 Appendix 6 43 Appendix 7 44 4 Resolution Island Operational Plan: Stoat Eradication 1.0 Executive Summary Resolution Island, including Five Fingers Peninsula, is the largest of the islands on the Fiordland coast, covering 20 860 hectares and rising to 1 069 m and above sea level.
    [Show full text]
  • New Locality Records for Two Species of Protected Weevils, Anagotus Fairburni
    Tuhinga 29: 20–34 Copyright © Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (2018) New locality records for two species of protected weevils, Anagotus fairburni (Brookes, 1932) and Hadramphus stilbocarpae Kuschel, 1971 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), from southern Fiordland, New Zealand Colin M. Miskelly,* Alan J.D. Tennyson** and Colin R. Bishop*** * Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, PO Box 467, Wellington 6140, New Zealand ([email protected]) ** Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, PO Box 467, Wellington 6140, New Zealand *** Department of Conservation, PO Box 29, Te Anau 9600, New Zealand ABSTRACT: The flax weevil Anagotus fairburni (Brookes, 1932) and knobbled weevil Hadramphus stilbocarpae Kuschel, 1971 were among the first New Zealand insects to be granted legal protection. Both are large flightless species with narrow host–plant requirements. Their disjunct distributions are probably the result of predation by introduced rodents, with populations of both having apparently been extirpated by ship rats (Rattus rattus) at one documented site (Taukihepa/Big South Cape Island). Within Fiordland, flax weevils were previously known from a single small island in Breaksea Sound, and knobbled weevils had been reported from five outer islands, from Secretary Island south to Resolution Island. We report the presence of both species in Dusky Sound, and flax weevils in Chalky and Preservation Inlets, based on surveys of 134 islands in 2016 and 2017. Signs of flax weevil feeding were recorded on 56 widely scattered islands, with live or dead animals found on seven of these during the limited search time available. A single knobbled weevil was found at night on a small island in the Seal Islands, southwest of Anchor Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Re-Establishing North Island Kākā (Nestor Meridionalis Septentrionalis
    Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. Re-establishing North Island kākā (Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis) in New Zealand A thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science In Conservation Biology Massey University Auckland, New Zealand Tineke Joustra 2018 ii For Orlando, Aurora and Nayeli “I don’t want my children to follow in my footsteps, I want them to take the path next to me and go further than I could have ever dreamt possible” Anonymous iii iv Abstract Recently there has been a global increase in concern over the unprecedented loss of biodiversity and how the sixth mass extinction event is mainly due to human activities. Countries such as New Zealand have unique ecosystems which led to the evolution of many endemic species. One such New Zealand species is the kākā (Nestor meridionalis). Historically, kākā abundance has been affected by human activities (kākā were an important food source for Māori and Europeans). Today, introduced mammalian predators are one of the main threats to wild kākā populations. Although widespread and common throughout New Zealand until the 1800’s, kākā populations on the mainland now heavily rely on active conservation management. The main methods of kākā management include pest control and re-establishments. This thesis evaluated current and past commitments to New Zealand species restoration, as well as an analysis of global Psittacine re-establishment efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • Scenic & Nature
    FIORDLAND DISCOVERY 7-DAY FIORDLAND / TE WAHIPOUNAMU EXPEDITIONS SCENIC & NATURE The massive glaciers that tore the landscape Seals apart 15,000 years ago left 14 fascinating fiords, Fiordland is home to the New Zealand fur seal the northernmost being the famous Milford Sound, (kekeno). Although almost hunted to extinction in with its narrow valley and steep cliffs, and the the 1800s, New Zealand now boasts approximately southernmost being Dusky Sound, and Chalky and 80,000 fur seals, with a large population found in Preservation Inlets. Dusky Sound. Strictly speaking, a “sound” is formed by a river, Dolphins are frequently seen in the sounds and, on rare occasions, pilot, humpback and Southern Right while a “fiord” is a glacier-formed valley. Fiordland’s whales. Orca have been spotted along the coast and southern fiords are much larger than its northern it is always a special privilege to see these incredible fiords, with mountains and hills complementing their animals. islands and coves. The remote islands in particular have been a real opportunity to establish bird Underwater sanctuaries, such as Anchor Island, which is now Fiordland is home to ten marine reserves. Depending home to the likes of the kakapo and saddleback. on the weather, we may use the ROV to view the Five Fingers Peninsula and Wet Jacket Arm reserves Fiordland receives about 6500mm of rainfall each in Dusky Sound and the Long Sound Reserve at the year, the perfect catalyst for beautiful waterfalls head of the Preservation Inlet. and lush podocarp forest, both abundant in Dusky Sound. This rainfall also creates a freshwater layer The extreme amount of rainfall in the fiords results in a freshwater surface layer that can be as deep on top of the fiords, resulting in a unique marine as seven metres.
    [Show full text]
  • Echinodermata Associated with Coral Reefs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
    Rec. zoo!. Surv. India: 100 (Part 3-4) : 21-60, 2002 ECHINODERMATA ASSOCIATED WITH CORAL REEFS OF ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS D. R. K. SASTRY Zoological Survey of India, A & N Regional Station, Port Blair - 744 102 INTRODUCTION Coral reefs are an important ecosystem of the coastal environment. The reef ecosystem IS highly productive and provides substratum, shelter, food etc. to a variety of biota. Consequently a number of faunal and floral elements are attracted towards the reef ecosystem and are closely associated with each other to form a community. Thus the reefs are also rich in biodiversity. Among the coral reef associates echinoderms are a conspicuous element on account of their size, abundance and effect on the reef ecosystem including the corals. In spite of their importance in the coral reef ecosystem and its conservation, very few studies were made on the echinoderm associates of the coral reefs. Though there were some studies elsewhere, the information on reef­ associated echinoderms of Indian coast is meager and scattered (see Anon, 1995). Hence an attempt is made here to collate the scattered accounts and unpublished information available with Zoological Survey of India. Since the information is from several originals and quoted references and many are to be cited often, these are avoided in the text and a comprehensive bibliography is appended which served as source material and also provides additional references of details and further information. ECHINODERMS OF CORAL REEFS More than 200 species of echinoderms occur in the reef ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These belong to five extant classes with 30 to 60 species of each class.
    [Show full text]