Farmers have vital role in protecting biodiversity
Farmers have a vital role to play in protecting the Waikato region’s biodiversity, Environment Waikato biodiversity projects manager Judy van Rossem told a meeting of Waikato landcare groups recently.
Ms van Rossem was speaking at a regional landcare networking field day organised by Environment Waikato and hosted by the Te Pahu Landcare group near Pirongia, last week.
She said many of the region’s remaining high-value biodiversity sites were on farms and private land, where there were remaining fragments of special ecosystems, such as forests and wetlands.
“Their protection will depend on the decisions of individual land owners.”
Environment Waikato, which has a statutory responsibility to maintain biodiversity in the Waikato region, is currently working to identify and rank these sites.
Ms van Rossem said biodiversity loss was a continuing problem in the Waikato, mainly due to habitat loss.
“At least 223 animal and plant species are threatened with extinction in the Waikato. Nationally, threatened plant species alone have risen from 122 five years ago to 180 – an increase of nearly 50 per cent.”
Land drainage remained a major threat to our remaining wetlands, she said.
“Nearly a quarter of our threatened plants and animals depend on wetlands for their survival, but since European settlement, our region’s wetlands have been reduced from 108,000 hectares to 30,000 hectares. Most wetlands are now scattered, smaller than 50 hectares, and are on private property.
“And illegal drainage still continues. Often people don’t realise we have rules around draining wetlands and that they probably need a resource consent to do it.”
Ms van Rossem said the regional council offered a range of resources to farmers or anyone interested in protecting areas with high biodiversity values.
Top tips for tackling biodiversity protection projects
If you want to protect or restore a natural area in your community, do a bit of research first, Environment Waikato biodiversity projects manager Judy van Rossem says.
“It’s important to plan and seek advice before beginning any biodiversity restoration project. Good planning means better results and saves you money in the long term. Environment Waikato (www.ew.govt.nz) and the Waikato Biodiversity Forum (www.waikatobiodiversity.org.nz) have some great leaflets and web resources available.
“Find people who can help choose an appropriate site or project and find out what’s rare or special in your district. You will need to consider factors such as the site’s size, shape, accessibility, habitat complexity and special features.
“If the site is on your own property, stick with areas close to your house so you can enjoy the benefits of the birdlife and vegetation. Also, it’s important not to bite off more than you can chew, so do a little at a time.”
Wetlands and forest fragments are two of the most common natural features found on Waikato farms.
“For swamps and bogs your first priorities should be monitoring water levels and then reducing pollution,” Ms van Rossem said.
“Fence out stock and control weeds and pests before planting trees and shrubs. Lastly, ensure fish are able to migrate through the site.
“For native forest and scrub, fencing should be your number one priority, followed by weed and pest control, then planting. You can then monitor native animals and consider re-introducing species with permits from the appropriate authorities.”
Ms van Rossem said taking photographs and tracking the success of the project was also important, as it could help with funding applications.
For more information or advice about biodiversity enhancement, please call Environment Waikato on 0800 800 401.
A range of organisations offer funding and grants for biodiversity projects, including district councils, the QEII National Trust, Forest and Bird Waikato, the Department of Conservation and the Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust.