Halting the decline Priority Habitats
The Priority Habitats programme is Horizons’ main programme for protecting representative remnants of the region’s rarest and most threatened indigenous ecosystems. Rather than focusing on individual species protection, management aims to protects ecosystems as functioning habitats that support a wide range of indigenous biodiversity.
Horizons biodiversity advisors actively manage 95 sites across the region with plant and animal pest control and, where appropriate, fencing and planting. Sites are monitored to track their improvement over time. Most of these sites are on private land and this work is only possible with landowner permission.
Rare and threatened ecosystems
At least 72 indigenous ecosystem types have been identified in the Horizons Region (59 terrestrial and 13 wetlands) ranging from alpine types to various forest, coastal dune, grassland and even cliff types.
Each ecosystem is unique, packed with an amazing variety of different indigenous species; huge trees right through to microscopic fungi. This native biodiversity has evolved to live together in complex harmony and we couldn’t hope to recreate it from the small selection of plants available at a nursery.
Horizons Biodiversity Team and Science Team ecologists have identified 30 indigenous ecosystem types that are particularly rare or threatened in the Horizons region and should be prioritised for protection. Our biodiversity advisors have worked to seek out sites where remnants of these priority ecosystems persist, in order to protect and preserve the natural biodiversity there. The programme is non-regulatory, relying on the willing participation of the landowners.
Active management
Our biodiversity advisors work to manage the six key pressures that affect most of our priority habitat sites.
1. Ungulate browse - feral and farmed goats, deer, sheep and cattle
2. Pest plant invasion - creeping ground covers to smothering climbers
3. Possum browse - mostly to the canopy
4. Predation - rats, ferrets, stoats, weasels and cats
5. Habitat fragmentation - open areas from landslips and canopy clearance
6. Rabbit/hare browse - mostly an issue at coastal sites
This work includes fencing, pest plant control, possum baiting, predator trapping, planting and culling.
We work with QEII, Nga Whenua Rahui and landowner support to fund as many deer fences as we can to ensure the long term survival of these sites. The regeneration in the forest understory at fenced sites is so inspiring to track over time.