Dunard Inland Saline Wetland Management Area

  • Description: Saline area on flat terrace on Moutere Station. 1
  • Type/Class: Inland saline 2
  • Size: 3.1 ha
  • Altitude: 320 - 360 m above sea level
  • Approximate location: 3.3 km Northwest of the intersection of Brassknocker Road and Chatto Creek Springvale Road, Alexandra | NZTM (centre point): E1320140 N4993780
  • Regional Plan: Water for Otago | Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.37, Map F11
  • Territorial Authority: Central Otago District Council

Recorded Values:

Value

Description

A5

Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Scarce wetland type: native salt tolerant plants including Puccinellia sp., Atriplex buchananii and Ceratocephalus pungens, the native herb Acaena buchananii plus the threatened herb New Zealand mousetail (Myosurus minimus subsp. novae-zelandiae). 1, 8
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:

  • Soil classified as Typic Solonetzic Semiarid Soil. 8

  • Invertebrate species recorded at site include Eurythecta zelaea and Orocrambus corruptus8

  • The Department of Conservation considers the Dunard Inland Saline Wetland Management Area to be a very important site for biological conservation. On a scale from 1 (highest value) to 11 (lowest value) the site was given a rank of 5, 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 to the wetland include fertiliser, oversowing, weeds and grazing by livestock. 8

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

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.