Where the wild things are

14 June 2016

There are 217 spots peppered throughout Taranaki – some secret, some not so secret – that are home to many of our favourite species.

These public and private wetlands, coastal sites and forest areas are known as Key Native Ecosystems (KNEs) and identified as important by the Taranaki Regional Council.

Within them is an array of treasures – everything from kiwi and blue penguin to bats and banded kokopu. The habitats themselves are increasingly rare universes – gems that were lost to intensive land-clearing and farm development last century. They contain important plant species, from king fern and cathedral bells to ngaio.

“Large lowlands eco-systems were lost. There are only small pockets of forest left on private land, so that is high priority for us,” says the Council’s Environment Services Manager Steve Ellis. “We’re keen to identify and help safeguard as many KNEs as we can.”

Once an area has become a KNE a biodiversity plan can be prepared which enables access to funds for activities such as fencing, planting, and weed and pest control.

The designation of KNEs is a voluntary initiative between landowners and the Council, and the programme works well because there is a strong desire between all parties to safeguard at-risk environments.

Often property-owners approach the Council because they suspect that some of their land is ecologically significant. It must be more than one hectare to be considered for KNE status, and Council officers take into account how much is left of that habitat type within Taranaki and whether ongoing protection is cost-effective.

The site’s proximity to other important areas is also examined because nearby pest control – or lack of it – could enhance or threaten proposed KNEs, and linking protected areas creates safe corridors for species beyond their “island”.

An officer then assesses the site in consultation with the owner to identify resident plant and animal species, key threats, and how the location could be managed, says Mr Ellis.

“The landowners have a better awareness of what they’ve got. They might know a dozen plant species and birds, and a few of their predators. Our officers are there to support them and if the owners are willing to manage the site in a proactive fashion by getting it legally protected, we will look at doing a biodiversity plan. We look at the issues that are most pressing and most practical to implement.”

Landowners retain ownership of a legally-protected KNE and a covenant provides permanent protection. They can then apply for rates rebates on it, and the Council can help financially with fencing, pest control (plants and animals), traps and tracks, says Mr Ellis.

Currently, 87 of Taranaki’s KNEs have a biodiversity plan and the number is increasing each year.

For more details, got to http://www.trc.govt.nz/Biodiversity/ or contact the environment services team on 06 765 7217.

ENDS

© Scoop Media