ERMANZ Report: Verified Source: Pestlink Operational Report for Possum Control in the Mt Karioi (Pirongia Forest Park) 2009/10 19 May 2010 - 16 Jun 2010 17/08/2010 Department of Conservation Waikato 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 &.............................................................................................5 Notifications ...................................................................................................................5 4.1 CONSULTATION...............................................................................................5 4.2 CONSENTS .........................................................................................................6 4.3 NOTIFICATION.................................................................................................6 5 Methods.......................................................................................................................7 5.1 TARGET SPECIES..............................................................................................7 5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS .......................................................................10 5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species .....................................................................10 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality.................................................................11 5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems..................................................................................11 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health.............................................................................11 6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes .............................................................................11 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES ..............................................11 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS..........................12 6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING ............................................................................14 Page 2 of 15 1. Operation Summary Operation Name Possum Control in Mt Karioi (Pirongia Forest Park) 2009/10 Operation Date 19 May 2010 - 16 Jun 2010 Area Office Waikato Conservancy: Waikato Pestlink Reference 1011WAI01 Treatment Area Size (ha) Mt Karioi (Pirongia Forest Park) 2009/10 1613.00 Conservation Unit Name(s) Conservation Unit Number(s) Te Toto Gorge Scenic Reserve R14008 Pirongia Forest Park S15001 Treatment Block Details Treatment Blocks Size (ha) Karioi Ground Treatment Block 232.00 Karioi Aerial Treatment Block 1381.00 Contractor Name EcoFX Ltd Treatment Dates Start Completion Karioi Aerial Treatment Block 19 May 2010 16 Jun 2010 Karioi Ground Treatment Block 19 May 2010 16 Jun 2010 Target Pest Details Control Treatment Blocks Target Pests Name Method Karioi Aerial Possum Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Treatment Block Karioi Aerial Treatment Block-(1) Karioi Ground Possum Pesticide Hand Pesticide - Hand Laying Treatment Block Laying in Karioi Ground Treatment Block-(1) Conservation Outcome(s) Mt Karioi and Te Toto Gorge Scenic Reserve are areas of public conservation land that collectively represent the few remaining protected forest areas with a full succession of vegetation sequence from the coast to mountain top on the west coast of the North Island. Maintaining very low possum densities and controlling rats will have major benefits on the botanical and fauna values at these sites. Result Target(s) Treatment Area/Block What we got • Less than 3% RTC for Karioi Aerial Treatment Block 1.06% possums Pestlink Ref: 1011WAI01 Date Printed: 13 Dec 2010 Page 3 of 15 • Although not reported Mt Karioi (Pirongia Forest 0 as a specific target or Park) 2009/10 performance measure we were hoping to achieve less than 5% RTI Outcome Targets What we got • Increase foliar cover of monitored trees Post operation monitor to (kamahi, kohekohe) occur prior to the next operation. • Increase the abundance of native bird species Bird monitor yet to be (to be monitored through distance sampling). undertaken. 2. Introduction 2.1 TREATMENT AREA Non-target species Common Name Scientific Name Australasian Harrier Circus approximans Dog Canis familiaris Bush falcon Falco novaeseelandiae "bush" Target benefit species Common Name Scientific Name Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae Tui novaeseelandiae Bellbird Anthornis melanura melanura Tomtit Petroica macrocephala kohekohe Dysoxylum spectabile kamahi Weinmannia racemosa Threatened species Common Name Scientific Name New Zealand pigeon, Kereru Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae Nestor meridionalis North Island Kaka septentrionalis Geographical location The Mt Karioi (Pirongia Forest Park) 2009/10 is situated 6 km North of Raglan. Pestlink Ref: 1011WAI01 Date Printed: 13 Dec 2010 Page 4 of 15 TREATMENT BLOCK DETAILS: Treatment block Karioi Ground Treatment Block Vegetation ranges from coastal, through lowland broadleaf and Vegetation type higher altitude hardwood (kamahi). Bioclimatic zone semi-coastal lowland Climate characteristics: Rainfall 0 mm Temperature: Average Summer 19.0 Average Winter 12.0 Snow level 0 m Altitude 200-730 m Community and Iwi Main water supply for coastal communities west of Raglan. interests Historic sites - Treatment block Karioi Aerial Treatment Block Vegetation ranges from coastal, through lowland broadleaf and higher altitude hardwood (kamahi). Nearer the coast, native Vegetation type vegetation is patchy and includes kanuka/manuka interspersed with rank grass. Bioclimatic zone coastal lowland semi-coastal sub-montane Climate characteristics: Rainfall 0 mm Temperature: Average Summer - Average Winter - Snow level 0 m Altitude 0-756 m Mount Karioi and adjoining Te Toto Gorge Scenic Reserve Community and Iwi has great cultural significance to local Iwi. There is also a interests walking track through the reserve and coastal observation sites along the Whaanga Road. There is unique early Maori garden stone structures and evidence of early stone dwellings within Te Toto Gorge. Historic sites Kumara pits and an old pa are evident on prominent ridges. Part of the area is waahi tapu due to a historical massacre which is reported to have occurred here. Pestlink Ref: 1011WAI01 Date Printed: 13 Dec 2010 Page 5 of 15 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 Mt Karioi and Te Toto Gorge Scenic Reserve are areas of public conservation land that collectively represent the few remaining protected forest areas with a full succession of vegetation sequence from the coast to mountain top on the west coast of the North Island. Maintaining very low possum densities and controlling rats will have major benefits on the botanical and fauna values at these sites. 3.2 TARGETS 3.2.1 Result Targets The result targets for the treatment area were: • Less than 3% RTC for possums • Although not reported as a specific target or performance measure we were hoping to achieve less than 5% RTI 3.2.2 Outcome Targets The outcome targets for the treatment area were: • Increase foliar cover of monitored trees (kamahi, kohekohe) • Increase the abundance of native bird species (to be monitored through distance sampling). 4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications 4.1 CONSULTATION The Waikato Area developed a robust Communications Plan and communications Steering Group. Oct 2009-Mar 2010. The Department of Conservation sought expressions of interest for pest control (open to any method) prior to going to tender. This was advertised on GETS, the Waikato Times and the Raglan Chronicle. The rationale behind this was to provide members of the local community with the opportunity to undertake the work themselves by utilising locally Pestlink Ref: 1011WAI01 Date Printed: 13 Dec 2010 Page 6 of 15 acceptable pest control methods (within acceptable limits). No interest was received from the Raglan community. A number of hui were conducted with key stakeholders and individuals during the consultation on options (methods) phase: Iwi, Medical, local Government and adjoining landowners. Further hui were conducted during the consultation on effects phase. An invite only meeting with key representatives from various local entities was held and participants were provided with a presentation and forum to discuss the project. The Departments consultation efforts were supported well by the Contractors operations manager and Environment Waikato’s Project Manager for the private land being treated concurrently. Consultation outcomes