Table A4.3: Schedule of possible environmental effects identified in relation to biodiversity, landscape and natural character

Electricity demand

Increased hydroelectric generation has the potential to adversely affect freshwater biodiversity

Increased pressure

Early–medium

Waters of local, regional and possibly national significance could be affected: likely to be ongoing and increasing as long as electricity demand rises. Could be exacerbated by likely climate changes.

High
Negative

Electricity demand

More direct use of scavenged firewood may impact local biodiversity

Increased pressure

Early

Impacts local, likely to plateau or decline as resource is depleted (in the absence of response)

Low–moderate
Negative

Forestry

Increased afforestation pressures on indigenous terrestrial biodiversity (eg, post 1990 regenerating forest, scrubland, tussock, other rare ecosystems)

Increased pressure

Early–medium

Ongoing. Pressure will be much higher in some districts than others.

High
Negative

Forestry

Increased risk of wilding trees spreading to areas of high conservation or landscape value

Increased pressure

Early–medium

Increases as exotic forestry extends to new areas over time. Threat relates mainly to wilding radiata pines but may also arise from other exotic species including those used for erosion control.

Moderate
Negative

Energy supply

Increased biosecurity risks from new or expanded renewable energy sources

Increased pressure

Medium–distant

Risks largely unknown. Probably relate to dispersal of threat organisms. They could apply to expanded hydro (freshwater environments), expanded wind or solar (terrestrial), expanded geothermal (freshwater or soils), new sources of marine energy (marine).

Uncertain

Forestry

Increased afforestation or regeneration reduces pressures on terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity

Decreased pressure

Medium–distant

Ongoing. Magnitude depends on extent and location of afforestation.

High
Positive

Electricity demand

Increased renewable energy generation (especially hydro and wind) may adversely affect landscape and natural character values

Increased pressure

Early–medium

Ongoing. Localised to regions suitable for renewable power generation. Coastal developments (eg, wind and wave) will not emerge until technologies become economically viable. Effects are largely perceptual.

Low–high (varies)
Negative

Electricity supply

Increased pressure on landscapes and natural character from transmission investment for reconfiguration of the distribution system to deal with renewables

Increased pressure

Medium

Ongoing but localised.

Low–medium
Negative

Transport

Changed pressures on landscapes and natural character arising from changes in land use in response to transport price increases

Mixed

Medium-distant

Ongoing, likely to be localised.

Uncertain

Forestry

Increased pressures on landscape and natural character arising from increased afforestation

Mixed

Medium

Ongoing, effects will depend on location and nature of afforestation (eg, indigenous versus exotic plantation).

Moderate
Negative to uncertain