July 20 2016
Native forest areas in fine fettle

Monitoring of Taranaki’s Key Native Ecosystems Tradescantia 1(KNEs) shows that the programme’s native forest areas are in fine fettle.

There has been an improvement in the condition of 75% of the 12 native forest KNEs monitored in the Taranaki Regional Council’s first five-yearly assessments, with less predator damage, fewer weeds and more native species.

KNEs are ecologically important habitats, and the forest regeneration is due to landowners carrying out regular weed and predator control, Tradescantia 1and improved fencing to keep out stock, says Environment Services Manager Steve Ellis.

“Overall, those sites are looking and feeling more alive,” he says. “This is all about outcomes. What are the benefits of putting the fences and pest control in there? Is the condition of the habitat improving? So we’re measuring the outcomes of that work.”

Of the remaining 25% of forests assessed, 17% remained stable and 8% had regressed.

“Before any management is started, we take a ‘before’ shot of the habitat for later comparison,” says Mr Ellis. “Some of the biodiversity plans and control programmes have been going for five years, at which point we start taking ‘after’ shots to assess any change.”

The methods for Coastal KNEs assessment are in development and monitoring of those sites will start later this year. The Council will also have a better picture of wetlands and be able to report on their condition in the future.

Its officers have identified 218 local wetland, coastal and forest KNEs, 80 of which were assessed during the 2015/2016 financial year.

The Council works with Taranaki farmers and landowners to prepare biodiversity plans that help them protect KNEs on their land, with 87 plans created to date. There is also provision for fencing and pest control funding.

The landowners assume control after that initial assistance, but the Council provides advice where needed, along with regular assessments. The designation of KNEs is a voluntary initiative between these stakeholders, and the programme works well because all parties want to safeguard at-risk environments.

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