1. Threatened fauna of the Canterbury Region Colin F J O’Donnell Southern Regional Science Centre Department of Conservation PO Box 13049, Christchurch

2. Threatened fauna

3. Proportion of national total in Canterbury - fauna taxa

4. Wetlands/lowland rivers >90% drained

5. Canterbury Mudfish Aquatic vegetation/ overgrown springs and margins of wetlands Can cope with short periods of drying – form burrows Solitary

6. Lowland longjaw galaxias Kakanui (Kauru River) Hakataramea (1989) Twizel area (e.g. Fraser Stream) Open braided cobble/gravel river Shallow riffle habitat ? Spawning requirements

7. Badly designed culverts, weirs, and dams Pollution and sedimentation Changes in water levels/drainage Stock damage to margins Predation & competition Loss of habitat Reduced flows Overfishing Weed encroachment Threats

8. Braided rivers

9. –Multiple channels –Flow instability –High gradients –High levels of sediment supply and movement –Constant channel movements –Seasonally rich food supplies These processes provide outstanding feeding and nesting habitat for wetland birds & other fauna

10. Distribution of braided rivers nationally 163 rivers

11. O’Donnell & Moore (1983), Robertson et al. (1984), Maloney (1999) Number of wetland birds from index counts on rivers > 80 bird species

12. Trends in wrybill numbers Hay (1979), Davies (1997), Riegen & Dowding (2001)

13. c.1900

14. 1979

15. 2007

16. Trends in wrybill numbers

17. Edwards Stream – Scree Skink habitat

18. Threats: weed encroachment

19. Proportions of major rivers with weed encroachment After Wilson (2001)

20. Loss of water: Increased demand for irrigation water

21. Loss of water: Each species has a different requirement

22. The ‘moat’ effect – islands separated from the mainland by large flows appear to limit predation Predation by introduced mammals

23. What can be done?

24. Rules for habitat protection Rules for habitat protection Legal protection of waterways Firewood cutting rules

25. Adequate environmental flows to sustain fauna Assured environmental flows and water levels in rivers/wetlands/coastal lagoonsAssured environmental flows and water levels in rivers/wetlands/coastal lagoons

26. Protected areas networks Focus on lowlands where >90% lossFocus on lowlands where >90% loss For example: Protect a representative range of riversFor example: Protect a representative range of rivers –Braided rivers are not represented in our reserve network (though the waters of some are now protected with Conservation Orders) Most riverbeds are classed as “unoccupied crown land” or are council/private landMost riverbeds are classed as “unoccupied crown land” or are council/private land

27. Sustained predator control Poison laid 80% dead within 2 days

28. Community conservation initiatives: Community conservation initiatives: bat houses in South Canterbury

29. Species translocations: Species translocations: Quail Island using wooden disc technique for beetles…

30. Recreation management Black-fronted tern chick crushed by vehicle

31. Education

32. Conclusions: Huge challenges Most threatened biodiversity does NOT occur in reserves or on DOC landMost threatened biodiversity does NOT occur in reserves or on DOC land Need good inventories of what still remainsNeed good inventories of what still remains Regional action plans (Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy first step)Regional action plans (Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy first step) Need to turn the strategy into action to halt the lossNeed to turn the strategy into action to halt the loss