Originally rare ecosystems

Current status of the data in BioConnect: 2006

Thirty three originally rare terrestrial ecosystems, as defined by Landcare Research (Williams et al. 2006), occur in the Auckland Conservancy, excluding the Kermadec Islands.

As this was only the first attempt to map originally rare ecosystems in the Auckland Conservancy, there is no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability, utility or completeness of this information. In some cases it may only indicate the possibility of an ecosystem being present. The ecosystems were mapped to various degrees of accuracy and detailed on-the-ground surveys to verify the data were not conducted. In terms of data completeness, an attempt was made to consult a wider range of references. However, without field surveys, locations of the following ecosystems are likely to be under-represented: coastal turf, dune deflation hollows, ephemeral wetlands, seepages and flushes.

The majority of originally rare ecosystems were mapped as polygons. Points were used to depict ecosystems which are likely to be small in area (i.e. coastal turf, dune deflation hollows, geothermal streamsides, ultramafic hills, cave entrances, ephemeral wetlands, seepages and flushes), but for which their spatial extent is unknown at the present time. Soil exposed from seabird burrowing and seabird guano deposits were mapped as both polygons and points. Lines were used to map the various types of beaches, but where the beach deposit extended inland a polygon was also used.

Data regarding vegetation and ecosystem types has been assembled from information provided by PNAP reports and local authorities for the purposes of the Nature Heritage Fund Auckland Protection Strategy (referred to in the following Methodology section as the Auckland Protection Strategy Project). Information on coastal ecosystems was assembled through interpretation of aerial photographs (referred to in the following Methodology section as the Coastal Project).

Sources of information include:

• Armitage (2001), history and natural features of Great Barrier Island.
• Edbrooke (2002), map of the geology of the Auckland Area.
• Houghton et al. (1989), inventory of New Zealand geothermal fields and features.
• Kenny and Hayward (1996), inventory and maps of New Zealand geothermal field and features.
• Leathwick et al. (2002a&b), land environments of New Zealand.
• New Zealand Geological Survey (1972), geological map of New Zealand.
• New Zealand Geological Survey (1982a&b), New Zealand land inventory maps of rock types.
• Ogle (2004), ephemeral wetlands in New Zealand.
• Searle (1981), geology of Auckland.
• Williams et al. (2006), framework for defining and naming originally rare terrestrial ecosystems.
• Wilson, Moore and Hochstein (1973), hot springs of Great Barrier Island.

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