Stirling Marsh Complex

Recorded Values:

Other Information:

• The Stirling Marsh Complex comprises three wetlands. ¹⁰²
  
  
• The south-eastern wetland is a marsh containing sparse emergent cabbage trees (Cordyline australis) over a shrubland dominated by Coprosma propinqua with blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.), pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia australis), and a few gorse (Ulex europaeus) shrubs. The margins of the shrubland are covered in rautahi (Carex coriacea) sedgeland. Rautihi, along with Blechnum minus, B. penna-marina, and pasture grasses, extends under the shrubland canopy. The wetland’s eastern margins contain wet pasture of sweet vernal, Yorkshire fog, white clover (Trifolium repens), creeping buttercup, and lotus with patchy rautahi and Juncus spp. Harakeke (Phormium tenax) flaxland is present to the east, over the property boundary. This wetland is grazed by stock. ¹⁰²
  
  
• The western wetland is a modified fen. Originally level with the surrounding land, the fen subsided after the peat caught fire during a burn-off. The fen contains rushland of Juncus edgariae, an unidentified rush, and a few J. effusus over rautahi, sweet vernal, Yorkshire fog, white clover, browntop (Agrostis capillaris), lotus (Lotus pedunculatus), and creeping buttercup. A few Juncus planifolius, Carex secta, Coprosma propinqua, and gorse are scattered throughout. There is a small shrubland where Coprosma propinqua is dominant. Also present is a harakeke flaxland, with Juncus edgariae and rautahi, and open areas containing sphagnum, sweet vernal, catsear (Hypochaeris radicata), browntop, Juncus articulatus, Celmisia gracilenta, Centella uniflora, Gonocarpus micranthus, Blechnum penna-marina, and small clumps of wire rush (Empodisma minus). A small patch of red tussock (Chionochloa rubra) grassland contains a few flax and Coprosma propinqua over rautahi, Blechnum minus, pasture grasses, lotus, and abundant spearwort (Ranunculus flammula). There is also a small area dominated by Carex secta. This wetland contains some old unmaintained drains and is mostly fenced to exclude stock. ¹⁰²

References:

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.

⁵¹ Otago Regional Council – Photo Archive.

¹⁰² Wildland Consultants (2011) Ecological evaluation of seven wetlands in relation to proposed Plan Change 2, Regional Plan water for Otago. Report prepared for Otago Regional Council.