Nevis Red Tussock Fen

  • Description: Bog and flush area on valley floor 1
  • Type/Class: Fen 2
  • Size: 43.6 ha
  • Altitude: 720 - 780 m above sea level
  • Approximate location: Nevis Road, 24 km Northeast of Kingston | NZTM (centre point): E1282670 N4986440
  • Regional Plan: Water for Otago | Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.113, Map F17
  • Territorial Authority: Central Otago District Council

Recorded Values:

Value

Description

A7

High diversity of indigenous wetland flora and fauna. Diverse flora and invertebrate fauna — several alpine invertebrate species, possibly dependent on wetlands (e.g., the moths Asaphodes oraria and Asaphodes helias). 1

A1-A6, A8, 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

  • Presence of copper tussock, with Polytrichum sp., browntop (Agrostis capillaris) and scattered clumps of soft rush (Juncus effusus) present in the wet intertussock areas. Where copper tussock has been cleared for pasture Carex sinclairii is dominant, with cutty grass/rautahi (Carex coriacea), browntop (Agrostis capillaris), tall fescue and jointed rush (Juncus articulatus) also present. Carex kaloides, classified as sparse, is present in the wetland margins. Carex muelleri, classified as sparse, is present in the drier areas above the wetland. 62

  • Invertebrate fauna include the rare moth Orocrambus sophronellus, which is associated with Carex muelleri. Other moth species present include Asaphodes oraria, Asaphodes nephelias, Notoreas n. sp., Eurythecta zelaea and Lycaena boldenarum. 62

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.

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

62 Land Information New Zealand (2004) Crown Pastoral Land Tenure Review: Ben Nevis. Conservation Resources Report for the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Published by Land Information New Zealand, Wellington.