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In order to meet the 35-year outcomes for the Tiromoana Bush Restoration Plan, eight outcomes for the first five years have been developed. Each outcome has a performance indicator that can be used to measure the success of the project in achieving the outcome. Five years has been chosen as the appropriate time-period for these outcomes because it is short enough to be realistically achievable, but long-enough to see real changes in the area. For this reason, intervals of five-years are the chosen period to measure the achievement of the restoration goals within the plan. Annual restoration work plans will include the specific tasks that are required to achieve these outcomes.
At the end of the five-year term of this restoration plan, the success of the Tiromoana Bush Restoration Plan in meeting these outcomes needs to be carefully assessed. In developing the restoration plan for the subsequent five-years, the reasons why these outcomes might not have been achieved needs to be evaluated and measures put in place to address these.
Explanation: The size of the conservation area being managed (c. 410 ha), the public interest in this area, and the diversity of management actions required to meet the 35-year goals requires formalised management planning and review to be undertaken on an annual basis.
Performance indicator: The Tiromoana Bush Restoration Plan and annual work plans have been completed, and the Advisory Group has been established and has reviewed the implementation of the restoration work annually.
Explanation: At present the area is heavily grazed by cattle and sheep which are having a significant adverse impact on ecosystem condition, especially through hindering natural successional processes. Additionally, domestic stock will have a significant adverse impact on restoration plantings should they have access to planted areas. Removal of all domestic stock is therefore a high management priority.
Performance indicator: Tiromoana Bush is free of all domestic stock, and if they do enter the area, they have been quickly and efficiently removed and the reasons for their ingress (e.g., damaged fence) has been remedied.
Explanation: Animal pests are the single biggest threat to the success of ecological restoration, as well as natural successional processes. Herbivores can significantly affect the growth of plantings and natural regeneration while predators have devastating impacts on fauna.
Performance indicator: Tiromoana Bush has been kept free of the high priority animal pests identified in the restoration plan, or if they have established, they have been quickly and efficiently removed.
Explanation: Plant pests also threaten the viability of both regenerating forest and restoration plantings, especially through competition, although this plan is pragmatic and recognises that not all exotic plants are necessarily pests. In fact, the restoration plan highlights the role that gorse can play in assisting restoration.
Performance indicator: Key plant pests identified in this plan are controlled to a level that does not threaten the restoration or other values of Tiromoana Bush.
Explanation: One of the primary objectives of restoration is to establish plantings to enhance connectivity between existing native shrubland and forest remnants and to enhance the black beech remnant (Remnant “B”). This outcome sees the planted area amounting to at least 5 ha in five years time. In addition, it is proposed to establish enrichment plantings of key native species such as totara, matai and kowhai to facilitate long-term succession and to provide food resources for native birds.
Performance indicator: The planted area exceeds 5 ha with planting survival >50%, and some enrichment plantings have been undertaken.
Explanation: Monitoring is an integral part of restoration management as it allows the success of the methods used to be assessed, and modified as appropriate, and it provides a means to report on this success to the various groups with an interest in the restoration project. Monitoring, however, needs to be carefully targeted to ensure that it can supply meaningful information that informs management without being an unreasonable cost of restoration.
Performance indicator: A monitoring programme has been established and all base-line monitoring completed and, re-measurements undertaken as appropriate.
Explanation: Restoration is an exciting activity, especially as the outcomes are almost always positive (cf., some threatened species work) and results can be seen in only a few short years. Awareness of the restoration project will therefore hopefully result in an increase in support for restoration, and in the longer-term the use of the project for educational and scientific purposes.
Performance indicator: Appropriate methods have been used to increase the awareness of the community in the Tiromoana Bush Restoration Project, including signage on the Mt Cass Road, production of a regular newsletter, and establishment of a web page.
Explanation: Tiromoana Bush has considerable potential for passive recreation (e.g., walking) and the opportunity exists for the public to access, on foot, a spectacular section of coastline not normally accessible, as well as to view native forest ecosystems and some unusual geological features. In addition, the area provides considerable educational and research opportunities.
Performance indicator: A walking track has been established that links Mt Cass Road with the coast, and Tiromoana Bush is being used at least twice per year by schools/tertiary institutes for educational purposes and at least two scientific studies have been established in the area.