|
Management of Tiromoana Bush will be based on seven management zones. Each zone has different attributes, restoration goals and management actions which are summarised in this section.
Description: This zone (8 ha) comprises the black beech remnant known as remnant “B” and a small area of shrubland and pasture around this.
Goal: Enhancing the existing black beech remnant.
Management actions: Additional plantings of black beech both within the remnant and on adjacent sites, as well as plantings of other indigenous species (e.g., kanuka, mahoe, fivefinger, kohuhu) into adjacent pasture areas.
Description: This is a large area (107.5 ha) encompassing the faces from remnant “B” around to and including Ella Pond SNA. The area is characterised by substantial patches of regenerating kanuka forest with pasture between. Some areas of gorse are also present.
Goal: Reconnect the existing forest remnants through active restoration and natural regeneration so that there is continuous forest between remnant “B” and Ella Bush SNA. Establish a second population of black beech.
Management actions: Restoration work will focus on connecting the existing patches of regenerating forest by planting fast growing indigenous species into pasture areas and encouraging natural regeneration. Species choice for plantings will depend on site, with species such as kanuka, mahoe, five-finger, lemonwood and kohuhu planted on the faces, kowhai, kaikamako, kahikatea and ngaio on the lower slopes and valley bottoms, and harakeke (flax) in the wettest sites. Totara and matai will also be planted into these areas, as well as into existing regenerating forest. Indigenous species will be planted into areas of gorse regeneration as required. In addition a site will be selected for establishing a second population of black beech which will then be planted.
Description: This small unit (17.2 ha) comprises the flat valley floor of the middle reaches of Kate Valley stream. These flats were probably formed when the Ella Ponds landslide dammed Kate Valley, creating a wetland system up-stream of the landslide. Farm management activities have resulted in the stream being realigned and drainage ditches created, but the area still supports wet grassland.
Goal: Active restortation of the Kate Valley wetland.
Management actions: Landfill management will result in the establishment of a weir at the end of this area which will result in wetter conditions over much of this site. Restoration will then focus on actively restoring wetland vegetation dominated by herbaceous species such as harakeke and purei, with appropriate marginal woody vegetation (e.g., kahikatea, manuka, korimiko and cabbage tree). The possibility of reinstating the meandering course of the Kate Valley stream will be evaluated.
Description: The lower part of Kate Valley including the Ella Bush SNA and the coastal faces around to Ella Peak Scenic Reserve (142 ha). The current vegetation is a mixture of regenerating forest (mainly centred on Ella Bush SNA) and pasture covered faces. Moderate amounts of native shrubland and gorse are present amongst the pasture.
Goal: Facilitate natural regeneration to native forest.
Management actions: Restoration work will involve animal and plant pest control only, allowing forest regeneration to otherwise occur naturally. Gorse will be allowed to invade pasture areas as it provides a good nurse for indigenous regeneration.
Description: This small zone (14 ha) encompasses the lowermost part of Kate Valley to the coast. The vegetation here has a strong coastal component with ngaio and golden akeake prominent in the main forest remnants.
Goal: Actively re-establish a riparian corridor up the stream from the coast connecting through to Ella Bush SNA and Zone 4.
Management actions: Active planting of appropriate coastal forest species such as ngaio and golden akeake to establish a riparian forest between the coast and Ella Bush SNA.
Description: The south facing slopes between Zone 1 and Kate Valley stream (61 ha). The current vegetation is a mixture of pasture and shrubland with kanuka prominent.
Goal: Facilitate natural regeneration to native forest.
Management actions: Restoration work will involve animal and plant pest control only, allowing forest regeneration to otherwise occur naturally. Gorse will be allowed to invade pasture areas as it provides a good nurse for indigenous regeneration.
Description: North facing slopes with a strong shrubland component (71.5 ha).
Goal: Facilitate natural regeneration to native forest.
Management actions: Restoration work will involve animal and plant pest control only, allowing forest regeneration to otherwise occur naturally. Gorse will be allowed to invade pasture areas as it provides a good nurse for indigenous regeneration.