Key findings

The Department of Conservation (DOC) manages a network of Ecosystem Management Units (EMUs), which are prioritised to ensure that the best possible representation of the full range of ecosystems is protected in a healthy and functioning state. However, the management that is currently being implemented at around 500 places does not fully represent this range, and this management is often only partially implemented, resulting in a lower ecological integrity (EI) than may be expected.

• Beech forest and alpine ecosystems are over-represented in the places that are currently being managed (Fig. 1).
• Bare rock (including braided rivers), dunelands, lakes and wetlands are under-represented (Fig. 1).
• Naturally uncommon ecosystems, such as frost flats and geothermal areas, are under-represented (Fig. 1).
• The potential gain in EI in managed ecosystems is lower than would be expected had all planned management actions been funded in 2015/2016 (Fig. 2).
• This difference between expected and actual EI is most marked in conifer broadleaved and kauri (Agathis australis) forest, and in dune and geothermal ecosystems (Fig. 2).

Figure 1. Ecosystem representation in the Top 500 ranked Ecosystem Management Units (EMUs) and the managed ecosystems within these EMUs in 2015/16

Figure 2. Difference in the predicted ecological integrity (EI) for the planned and funded ecosystem management prescriptions in 2015/16 by ecosystem class.

Definitions and methodology

This measure relates to spatial data describing the extent and composition of ecosystems in prioritised EMUs, and data on management effort obtained from DOC’s business planning database.

EMUs represent the best examples of each ecosystem class in New Zealand, as assessed by expert panels who considered the comprehensiveness and representativeness of the class, and each site’s current condition and management feasibility. The EMUs were prioritised in 2013 using the systematic conservation planning tool Zonation (Moilanen et al., 2012) to maximise representation across all classes.

Ecosystem classifications were derived from Singers and Rogers (2014) for terrestrial ecosystems, Leathwick et al. (2010) for river ecosystems and an unpublished classification developed by for lake ecosystems.

A deterministic model was used to predict the EI of the EMUs under a prescribed management regime to determine whether the pressures experienced by them could be mitigated by management. Two levels of management were compared:

1. Full implementation - The complete suite of management activity methods as described and planned in the complete site management prescription.

2. Funded implementation - The activities that were allocated resources (staff time or operating costs) in this year’s management prescriptions, assuming that each activity covered all of the affected ecosystems in each EMU.

Data quality

This measure is classified as a supporting information.

Relevance

This supporting information relates to a range of indicators that collectively measure and report on EI.

Accuracy

This measure complies with the data quality guidelines used in New Zealand’s Environmental Reporting framework.

Outcomes Monitoring Framework

The Department of Conservation’s (DOC’s) Outcomes Monitoring Framework provides a platform on which DOC and others can assess outcomes in a clear, structured and transparent way (Lee et al., 2005). It has been developed as a logical hierarchy that is based on broad, overarching Outcomes, beneath which are nested Outcome Objectives, Indicators, Measures and Data Elements to provide ever increasing levels of detail. The framework is scalable, as the indicators and measures remain compatible and consistent whether applied locally, regionally or nationally.

The recently updated framework provides a roadmap for gathering information to meet the specific objectives of DOC and other agencies (McGlone and Dalley, 2015). The provision of a national framework with agreed outcomes, indicators and measures supports collaboration with land management and regulatory agencies, allowing for more integrated environmental policy and ‘State of the Environment’ reporting. DOC has partially implemented a national monitoring and reporting system, whereby priority indicators and measures are routinely used to report on progress against the objectives and outcomes. This factsheet reports on a measure for the 2015/16 year.

Glossary of terms

DOC Ecosystem Management Units (EMUs) are places that have been identified as being important for management due to the types and condition of the ecosystems and species present. They may be on land/water of any tenure (not only PCL) and often include several connected ecosystems and communities of threatened species.

Ecological Integrity (EI) describes the level to which the full potential of indigenous biotic and abiotic features and natural processes, functioning in sustainable communities, habitats, and landscapes is met.

Deterministic model is a mathematical model in which output is precisely determined through known relationships among states and events, without any room for random variation.