Natural areas of Aupouri Ecological District

Introduction

This is a reconnaissance survey report about the Aupouri Ecological District for the Protected Natural Areas Programme. Published 2003.

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Natural areas of Ahipara Ecological District

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Summary

This study has collected a large amount of information on the natural areas of the Aupouri Ecological District, and is a valuable guide to the Department of Conservation and other interested agencies and individuals as to the natural values of the Ecological District. This is useful, both for reference as well as setting conservation priorities.

The Aupouri Ecological District consists of the narrow sand tombolo isthmuses of the Aupouri and Karikari Peninsulas and is connected in the north to a wide club-like head of the Te Paki Ecological District and in the south to the Ahipara and Maungataniwha Ecological Districts.

The District is characterised by shifting and consolidated dunes interspersed with small lakes, marshy hollows and peat swamps, and three large shallow harbours. Natural areas of ecological significance were identified from a reconnaissance survey undertaken in 1994–96 together with information from existing databases.

The Ecological District contains distinctive, nationally rare habitat types such as gumland, dunelands and wetlands, including habitats for a large number of threatened species.

The three harbours and Kaimaumau-Motutangi Wetlands are exceptional ecosystems of international importance. These large wetlands contain diverse habitat types that support many threatened flora and fauna species. Kanuka-manuka shrubland is common, but indigenous forest in this Ecological District is represented by only a few small remnants.

Out of 134 natural areas described in this report, 111 are known to contain natural values of regional and national significance. This high proportion reflects the high number of threatened species and habitats present in this Ecological District.

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