Wairarapa Key Native Ecosystem Management Areas - Greater ...
Wairarapa Key Native Ecosystem Management Areas - Greater ...
Wairarapa Key Native Ecosystem Management Areas - Greater ...
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• Inform <strong>Greater</strong> Wellington of any incidences or interference involving<br />
toxic bait, bait stations, traps or signage.<br />
2. Objectives<br />
• To maintain the possum population to a level below a 5% Residual Trap<br />
Catch (RTC) and encourage native bush regeneration and seed dispersal to<br />
outlying areas.<br />
• Possum monitoring was carried out in March 2006. Three trap lines<br />
consisting of 10 traps each over three nights resulted in no possums being<br />
caught.<br />
• To reduce predator numbers, resulting in a build up of native birds.<br />
3. Operational area<br />
Approximately 29 hectares of regenerating/remnant native bush, sited west of<br />
Carterton on Cobden Road.<br />
Altitude ranges from 110 metres around the Upper Belvedere entrance, rising<br />
up to the main high point at 170 metres.<br />
On the western boundary<br />
of this forest remnant is a<br />
wetland area. Mudfish<br />
discovered several years<br />
ago have added to its<br />
importance. Forest and<br />
Bird members have<br />
carried out pest plant<br />
control and this year have<br />
completed a major<br />
planting and revegetation<br />
programme.<br />
The wetlands project has<br />
been a learning curve for<br />
the Forest and Bird members. Their early plantings of mänuka, kahikatea and<br />
some species of coprosma’s literally drowned due to high water levels. The<br />
water course through the wetland has now been cleaned out, water levels<br />
controlled, and carex have been planted right the way along the drain. This has<br />
resulted in the area drying out and the plantings are now thriving.<br />
With the exclusion of stock, and the continuing pest animal and pest plant<br />
control, the understory is regenerating well. Fensham Reserve is a fine example<br />
of remnant lowland forest on a flood plain which contrasts with the<br />
regenerating and older areas.<br />
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