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Managing our Environment

Rockdale Inland Saline Wetland Management Area

Description:

Small saline site adjacent to Chatto Creek-Omakau Road. 1

Type/Class:

Inland saline. 2

Size:

2.7 ha.

Altitude:

240 - 280 m above sea level.

Approximate location:

1.5 km Northeast of the intersection of Omakau-Chatto Creek Road and Kinney Road, Omakau.
NZTM (centre point): E1326500 N4997060

Regional Plan:

Water for Otago
Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.130, Map F11.

Territorial Authority:

Central Otago District Council

 

Rockdale Inland Saline Wetland Management Area

Recorded Values:

Value

Description

A5

 Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Scarce wetland type. Many uncommon salt tolerant plants and insects. (see Grove 1994, p65 86). 1 Less than 18% of inland saline areas remain in Otago. 2

A1 - A3, A6 - A9

 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information:

  • Listed as an Area of Significant Indigenous Vegetation, Habitats of Indigenous Fauna and Wetlands in the Central Otago District Plan. 55

  • Soil classified as Alkaline Argillic Semiarid Soil. 8

  • Native halophytes presence include Atriplex buchananii (threat status of naturally uncommon), and Lepidium kirkii and New Zealand mousetail (Myosurus minimus subsp. novae-zelandiae) which both have a threat status of nationally critical. 8

  • Invertebrate species recorded include Eurythecta zelaea, Orocrambus corruptus and Paranotoreas fulva. 8

  • The Department of Conservation considers the Rockdale Inland Saline Wetland Management Area to be an important site for biological conservation. On a scale from 1 (highest value) to 11 (lowest value) the site was given a rank of 4, on the basis of its geographical extent, relative representativeness (the extent to which the site represents the assumed 1840 condition), diversity and rarity of biota and soils. 8

  • Potential threats include irrigation, cultivation, fertiliser application, oversowing and grazing. 8

 

Aerial View of Rockdale Inland Saline Wetland Management Area (March 2006)

Aerial View of Rockdale Inland Saline Wetland Management Area (March 2006)

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.

8 Allen, R.B. and McIntosh, P.D. (1997) Guidelines for conservation of salt pans in Central Otago. Science for Conservation: 49. Published by the Department of Conservation, Wellington.

55 Central Otago District Council (2008) Central Otago District Plan, Published by Central Otago District Council, Alexandra.

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