Swampy Summit Swamp

Description: Swampy areas and peat bogs with associated moss field, sedgeland and shrub communities on the flat plateau of Swampy Summit in the Silver Peaks area, west of Dunedin. 1

Type/Class: Swamp 2

Size: 48.4 ha.

Altitude: 600-720 m above sea level.

Approximate location: 2.5 km West of the intersection of Waitati Valley Road and Dunedin Northern Motorway, Whare Flat. NZTM (centre point): E1404300 N4925300

Regional Plan: Water for Otago. Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.143, Map F53.

Territorial Authority: Dunedin City Council.

 

Interactive map of Swampy Summit Swamp

Recorded Values

Value Description
A3 High diversity of wetland habitat types. A high diversity of habitat types. Swampy Summit peat bogs and associated plant communities provide important habitat for South Island Fernbird/Matata (Bowdleria punctata punctata) and other species. 1
A4 High degree of wetland naturalness. 1
A5 Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character.   Less than 15% of swamps remain in Otago. 2
A1, A2, A6-A9 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information

  • Listed as an Area of Significant Conservation Value in the Dunedin City District Plan. Described as a bog containing tarn, restiad bog and tussockland, and of national and regional significance. 28

  • Presence of the carabid beetle (Oregus inaequalis), a Category B species of New Zealand's threatened fauna. 63
Aerial view of Swampy Summit Swamp (April 2006)

 

Swampy Summit Swamp (May 2010) “51”

 

References

1 Otago Regional Council (2004) Regional Plan: Water for Otago. Published by the Otago Regional Council, Dunedin.

2. Ausseil, A.G., Newsome, P., Johnson, P, (2008) Wetland Mapping in the Otago Region. Landcare Research Contract Report prepared for the Otago Regional Council.

28. Dunedin City Council (1999) Dunedin City District Plan. Published by the Dunedin City Council, Dunedin.

51. Otago Regional Council - Photo Archive.

63. Pawson, S.M. and Emberson, R.M. (2001) Oregus inaequalis Castelnau, its distribution, and abundance at Swampy Summit, Otago. DOC Science Internal Series 6. Published by the Department of Conservation, Wellington.