ERMANZ Report: Verified Source: Pestlink Operational Report for Possum Control in the Matiri Valley 2007/2008 28 May 2008 - 18 Jun 2008 Dave Seelye 19/12/2008 Department of Conservation Nelson Lakes Contents 1. Operation Summary...................................................................................................2 2. Introduction................................................................................................................3 2.1 TREATMENT AREA .........................................................................................3 2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY...............................................................................5 3 Outcomes and Targets .................................................................................................5 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES........................................................................5 3.2 TARGETS ............................................................................................................5 3.2.1 Result Targets.................................................................................................5 3.2.2 Outcome Targets............................................................................................5 4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications .......................................................................6 4.1 CONSULTATION...............................................................................................6 4.2 CONSENTS .........................................................................................................6 4.3 NOTIFICATION.................................................................................................6 5 Methods.......................................................................................................................6 5.1 TARGET SPECIES..............................................................................................6 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS .........................................................................8 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species .......................................................................8 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality...................................................................8 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems....................................................................................8 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health...............................................................................8 6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes ...............................................................................8 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES ................................................8 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS............................9 6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING ..............................................................................9 Page 2 of 10 1. Operation Summary Operation Name Possum in Matiri Valley 2007/2008 Operation Date 28 May 2008 - 18 Jun 2008 Area Office Nelson Lakes Conservancy: Nelson Marlborough Pestlink Reference 0809STA03 Treatment Area Size (ha) Matiri Valley 2007/2008 3500.00 Conservation Unit Name(s) Conservation Unit Number(s) Mokihinui Forks Ecological Area L28004 Kahurangi National Park M27001 Treatment Block Details Treatment Blocks Size (ha) Grid Ref GIS Ref Matiri Range and Valley 3500.00 Contractor Name Vector Control Services Limited Treatment Dates Start Completion Matiri Range and Valley 28 May 2008 18 Jun 2008 Target Pest Details Treatment Control Target Pests Name Blocks Method Matiri Range and Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Matiri Valley Range and Valley-(1) Conservation Outcome(s) The Department will undertake this operation to protect the health and viability of the forest ecosystems and Powelliphanta snail population within this control area. • Habitat improvements for most species • Less competition for native species with pests for habitat and food • Better survival rates for some species e.g. Robin, Weka and Bellbird Result Target(s) Treatment Area/Block What we got • No RTC being Matiri Valley 2007/2008 inputs monitored performed on this operation. Outcome Targets What we got • To have a decrease in browse on specific plant Not available yet. Will be species located within the plots being completed by end of February monitored (Foliar Browse Index). To have an 2009 increase or no decrease in the snail numbers Pestlink Ref: 0809STA03 Date Printed: 22 Dec 2008 Page 3 of 10 located within monitor 2. Introduction 2.1 TREATMENT AREA Non-target species Common Name Scientific Name Ship rat Rattus rattus Mouse Mus musculus Stoat Mustela erminea Cat Felis catus Pig Sus scrofa Erinaceus europaeus Hedgehog occidentalis Target benefit species Common Name Scientific Name Kea Nestor notabilis Nestor meridionalis South Island Kaka meridionalis Hymenolaimus Blue Duck, Whio malacorhynchos Rock Wren Xenicus gilviventris Western Weka Gallirallus australis australis Long-tailed Cuckoo Eudynamys taitensis Great spotted kiwi Apteryx haastii Bush falcon Falco novaeseelandiae "bush" Yellow-crowned Parakeet Cyanoramphus auriceps South Island Robin Petroica australis australis Brown Creeper Mohoua novaeseelandiae South Island Rifleman Acanthisitta chloris chloris Bellbird Anthornis melanura melanura Grey Warbler Gerygone igata South Island Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa fuliginosa Ninox novaeseelandiae subsp. Morepork novaeseelandiae Prosthemadera Tui novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae Silvereye Zosterops lateralis Petroica macrocephala Yellow-breasted Tit macrocephala Pestlink Ref: 0809STA03 Date Printed: 22 Dec 2008 Page 4 of 10 New Zealand Kingfisher Halcyon sancta Pukeko Porphyrio melanotus Paradise Shelduck Tadorna variegata Anthus novaeseelandiae New Zealand Pipit novaeseelandiae Powelliphanta rossiana Large land snail rossiana Snail Powelliphanta "Matiri" Threatened species Common Name Scientific Name - Metrosideros umbellata - Plagianthus regius - Fuchsia excorticata - Melicytus sp. Melicytus aff. obovatus (c) - (AK 393733; Mt. Owen) - Pseudopanax macintyrei - Raukaua simplex Red mistletoe, pikirangi, Peraxilla tetrapetala pirirangi, pikiraki, pirita Scarlet mistletoe Peraxilla colensoi Nestor meridionalis South Island Kaka meridionalis Kea Nestor notabilis Hymenolaimus Blue Duck, Whio malacorhynchos Geographical location The Matiri Valley 2007/2008 is situated 15 km North of Murchison. TREATMENT BLOCK DETAILS: Treatment block Matiri Range and Valley Much of the land is covered in native forest although there is an extensive area of alpine tussocks, shrubland and riparian vegetation on the plateau and the summit of The Haystack. Forest composition reflects elevation, parent material fertility, and earthquake-induced landsliding and forest collapse. Southern rata is absent in the upper catchments but is present elsewhere at Vegetation type moderate elevation on both infertile rocks such as granite and on fertile calcareous rocks. Most areas containing rata show possum induced dieback. Seral communities are widespread on earthquake-triggered landslide deposits. However these are often dominated by herbaceous species and possum-preferred species such as fuchsia are relatively uncommon, probably reflecting a long history of browsing by ungulates and possums. The area Pestlink Ref: 0809STA03 Date Printed: 22 Dec 2008 Page 5 of 10 contains five special vulnerable and restricted plant taxa, of which Pseudopanax macintyrei and Melicytus obvatus are at highest risk from possums. Bioclimatic zone sub-montane sub-alpine montane Climate characteristics: Rainfall 1500 mm Temperature: Average Summer 18.0 Average Winter 4.0 Snow level 1000 m Altitude 340-1526 m There is no known history of usage by Maori or known Maori occupation sites within the control area. The Matiri Valley and Plateau offers remote tramping experiences. DOC has a series of Community and maintained tracks and huts in the area. This area is the southern Iwi interests entrance to the Kahurangi National Park. The area has been used extensively by hunters and Lake Matiri and other smaller lakes were visited during eeling times before the National Park status. Historic sites - 2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY Management history was not chosen to be shown in this operational report. This history is, however, available via Pestlink 3 Outcomes and Targets 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES The Department will undertake this operation to protect the health and viability of the forest ecosystems and Powelliphanta snail population within this control area. • Habitat improvements for most species • Less competition for native species with pests for habitat and food • Better survival rates for some species e.g. Robin, Weka and Bellbird 3.2 TARGETS 3.2.1 Result Targets The result targets for the treatment area were: • No RTC being performed on this operation. 3.2.2 Outcome Targets The outcome targets for the treatment area were: Pestlink Ref: 0809STA03 Date Printed: 22 Dec 2008 Page 6 of 10 • To have a decrease in browse on specific plant species located within the plots being monitored (Foliar Browse Index). To have an increase or no decrease in the snail numbers located within monitor 4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications 4.1 CONSULTATION Iwi groups from Te Tau Ihu and Ngati Waewae, (Ngai Tahu rununga), were consulted with as well as all community groups that could be affected in the Murchison area. Consultation outcomes - 4.2 CONSENTS Consent Consent date File/DME reference Medical Officer of Health Letter confirming notification letter of 10/04/2004 81/1 operation RC 03005/1