Styx Ephemeral Wetland Management Area

Description: A relatively extensive area of ephemeral wetlands in shallow depressions of schist rock that occurs on two rounded spur crests north-east of the Reservoir 90

Type/Class: Not identified

Size: 10.9 ha

Altitude: 640 - 680 m above sea level

Approximate location: 2.3 km Northeast of the intersection of Old Dunstan Road and Upper Taieri-Paerua Road, Paerua | NZTM (centre point): E1362610 N4967630

Regional Plan: Water for Otago | Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.141, Map F13

Territorial Authority: Central Otago District Council

Interactive map

Recorded Values

Value Description
A1 Habitat for nationally or internationally rare or threatened species or communities. Habitat for Myosurus minimus subsp. novae-zelandiae (Nationally Critical), Crassula peduncularis (Nationally Critical), Crassula multicaulis (Nationally Critical). 90
A5 Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Ephemeral wetland with indigenous vegetation. 90
A2 - A4, A6 - A9 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

Other Information

  • At least 18 small depressions are present with varying water retention capability. 90

  • A sparse flora comprises both nationally threatened (Myosurus minimus subsp. novae-zelandiae, Crassula peduncularis, Crassula multicaulis, and Crassula mataikona), and non-threatened but characteristic herbs of such wetland ecosystems (Limosella lineata, Carex resectans, and Leptinella maniototo). 90

 

Aerial view of Styx Ephemeral Wetland Management Area

 

 

One of eighteen ephemeral wetland depressions, Styx Ephemeral Wetland Management Area

 

 

Crassula mataikona, a distinctive annual herb of the Styx Ephemeral Wetland Management Area

 

References

90 Department of Conservation (2010) Comments on the Consultative Draft Proposed Plan Change 2 (Regionally Significant Wetlands) to the Regional Plan: Water for Otago. Department of Conservation - Otago Conservancy, Dunedin.