Download Christchurch District Plan Site of Ecological Significance Site

Christchurch District Plan
Site of Ecological Significance
Site Significance Statement
Site name:
Cashmere Road Ephemeral Pond
Site number:
SES/LP/39
Physical address of site:
750 Cashmere Road & 32 Sutherlands Road
Halswell
Christchurch 8025
Summary of Significance:
The Cashmere Road Ephemeral Ponding SES is significant because it provides an
important feeding and nesting site for the At Risk/Declining Pied Stilt, and supports
12 other native bird species that associated with freshwater lakes and ponds.
Site Map:
Additional Site Information
Central point NZTM:
N5173607, E1566512
Area of SES (ha):
2.50 ha
Site Description
The site comprises an extensive area of ephemerally ponded exotic grazed pasture
that is used extensively by native waterfowl and waders, most notably Pied Stilts for
nesting and feeding.
Extent of Site of Ecological Significance
The site covers approximately 2.5 hectares located on the northwest side of
Cashmere Road (refer to location map), and covers the extent of the regularly
ponded area.
Assessment Summary
The Cashmere Road Ephemeral Ponding site has been evaluated against the criteria
for determining significant indigenous vegetation and significant habitat of indigenous
fauna listed in Appendix 3 of the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement (Environment
Canterbury, 2013) (see below) referring also to the Wildland Consultants (2013)
Guidelines and advice from the relevant Specialist Ecologist Groups. Under these
criteria the site is ecologically significant because it meets representative (criterion 1),
rarity/distinctiveness (criterion 4) and ecological context criteria (criterion 10).
Assessment of Significance Criteria
Representativeness
1. Indigenous vegetation or habitat of indigenous fauna that is representative,
typical or characteristic of the natural diversity of the relevant ecological
district. This can include degraded examples where they are some of the
best remaining examples of their type, or represent all that remains of
indigenous biodiversity in some areas.
The site is significant under this criterion.
The Cashmere Road Ephemeral Ponding site supports 13 species of bird listed
by Crossland (2014a) as being associated with freshwater lakes and ponds in the
Low Plains Ecological District. Although the site does not host the full compliment
of species, it is still significant under this criteria as it is one of the best remaining
examples of this type of habitat.
2. Indigenous vegetation or habitat of indigenous fauna that is a relatively
large example of its type within the relevant ecological district.
Site not assessed under this criterion
Rarity/Distinctiveness
3. Indigenous vegetation or habitat of indigenous fauna that has been reduced
to less than 20% of its former extent in the Region, or relevant land
environment, ecological district, or freshwater environment.
Does not meet criterion
4. Indigenous vegetation or habitat of indigenous fauna that supports an
indigenous species that is threatened, at risk, or uncommon, nationally or
within the relevant ecological district.
The site is significant under this criterion.
The site provides a significant nesting and feeding site for At Risk/Declining
(Robertson et al. 2013) pied stilts (Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus)
(Crossland 2014b; Appendix 1). During a site visit by the Project Ecologist on 3 rd
November 2014, at least 19 Pied Stilts were present at this site.
5. The site contains indigenous vegetation or an indigenous species at its
distribution limit within Canterbury Region or nationally.
Site not assessed under this criterion
6. Indigenous vegetation or an association of indigenous species that is
distinctive, of restricted occurrence, occurs within an originally rare
ecosystem, or has developed as a result of an unusual environmental
factor or combinations of factors.
Does not meet criterion
Diversity and Pattern
7. Indigenous vegetation or habitat of indigenous fauna that contains a high
diversity of indigenous ecosystem or habitat types, indigenous taxa, or has
changes in species composition reflecting the existence of diverse natural
features or ecological gradients.
Does not meet criterion
Ecological Context
8. Vegetation or habitat of indigenous fauna that provides or contributes to an
important ecological linkage or network, or provides an important buffering
function.
Does not meet criterion
9. A wetland which plays an important hydrological, biological or ecological
role in the natural functioning of a river or coastal system.
Does not meet criterion
10. Indigenous vegetation or habitat of indigenous fauna that provides
important habitat (including refuges from predation, or key habitat for
feeding, breeding, or resting) for indigenous species, either seasonally or
permanently.
The site is significant under this criterion.
The site provides a significant nesting and feeding site for At Risk/Declining
(Robertson et al. 2013) pied stilts (Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus)
(Crossland 2014b; Appendix 1). During a site visit by the Project Ecologist on 3 rd
November 2014, at least 19 Pied Stilts were present at this site.
Site Management
Existing Protection Status
Partly in public ownerships.
Threats and risks
Management
recommendations
Support package options
·
·
Consider not filling in of the
ephemeral ponding area
·
·
Consider not ploughing and
cultivation of habitat.
Discussions with landowner
about benefits to biodiversity
of different management
regimes
·
·
Consider not draining in of the
ephemeral ponding area
Assistance available where
appropriate
·
Consider not ploughing and
cultivation of habitat.
·
Remove livestock during stilt
nesting season, and ensure
dogs do not enter area during
this period
·
Investigate land-swap with
neighbouring CCC owned
land to ensure natural values
are protected, developed and
managed appropriately into
the future
·
Discussion with landowner
about options available
·
·
·
Filling of low areas
Draining of ponded area
Disturbance of nesting
sites by livestock and
uncontrolled dogs
References
Crossland A. C. (2014a) Association of indigenous species; all species that are
residents or regular visitors to a given habitat type in Christchurch/Banks
Peninsula. Christchurch City Council (TRIM 14/756446).
Crossland, A. C. (2014b) Cashmere Road ephemeral pond bird monitoring.
Unpublished Dataset, Christchurch City Council. (TRIM Reference
14/633531)
Robertson, H., Dowding, J., Elliott, G., Hitchmough, R., Miskelly, C. O’Donnell, C.,
Powlesland, R., Sagar, P., Scofield, P., Taylor, G. (2013) Conservation
status of New Zealand birds, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification
Series 4, Dep.t of Conservation.
Assessment completed by: Dr Antony Shadbolt
Date:
31st October 2014
Statement completed by:
Date:
Dr Antony Shadbolt
31st October 2014
Statement updated by:
Date:
XXX
XXX
Please note this statement is based on information available at the time of writing. Due
to the dynamic nature of ecosystems, future reassessment of the site may be necessary
to reflect any changes in knowledge of its ecological significance.
Appendix 1
Cashmere Road Ephemeral Ponding Bird Monitoring (Crossland 2014)
Species
21/10/12
17/01/13
5/05/14
14/07/14
28/09/14
9/10/14
23/10/14
3/11/14
Aust Little Grebe
Black Cormorant
Little Cormorant
White-faced Heron
Mute Swan
Black Swan
Canada Goose
Feral Goose
Paradise Shelduck
Mallard/Grey/Hybrid
NZ Shoveler
NZ Scaup
Grey Teal
Harrier
Pukeko
Australasian Coot
Pied Stilt
Spur-winged Plover
Black-backed Gull
Red-billed Gull
Black-billed Gull
NZ Kingfisher
Welcome Swallow
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
6
4
3
4
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
12
0
38
0
9
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
64
96
0
92
1
17
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
12
64
4
28
1
0
0
14
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
34
0
12
0
5
0
19
2
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
14
16
2
22
1
4
0
10
2
0
0
0
0
0
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
19
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
n/c
TOTAL
25
12
75
276
129
90
74
-