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Database Title

6.6 Sites of Special Wildlife Interest
Keywords
Type1.
Type 11.		 Terrestrial; freshwater; estuaries; coastal wildlife habitat; birds; invertebrates; bats
Abstract

This database ranks terrestrial, freshwater and estuarine/coastal wildlife habitats using a 5 point scale with detailed criteria.

The 5 categories are:

  • Outstanding
  • High
  • Moderate-High
  • Moderate
  • Potential

The data in the database was primarily collected during a nationwide survey carried out by the New Zealand Wildlife Service during the 1970's and 1980's to identify Sites of Special Wildlife Interest.

Geographical Coverage New Zealand
Dataset start date. 1970's
Dataset end date. 1980's
Status/currency. Finished
Update frequency. N/A
Maintenance. N/A

 

Technical Evaluation

  
Parameters- what is measured
  • Date and time of observation.
  • Observer(s).
  • Location and boundaries of site.
  • Bird species present in 10,000 yard grid squares.
  • Other wildlife species present in 10,000 grid squares.
  • Habitat characteristics including main habitat forming plant species.
  • Specific locations of uncommon species.
  • Habitat ranking on a 5 point scale.
Parameters- what is calculated N/A
Methods used to measure parameters Wildlife habitat was identified on maps and then inspected in the fields. Each habitat of significant size was recorded as a site of special wildlife interest. Special effort was made to find rare/inconspicuous species by, for example, playing tapes of bird calls.
Scale of use. 1:50,000 and 1:63,000.
Minimum size for recorded habitats - 10ha for forest; 0.5ha for wetlands.
Number of records Unknown.
GIS compatibility. Data is recorded for spatially defined units using 1:50,000 and 1:63,000 scale topo maps so it would be possible. Care would be needed in interpretation as some spatial units are large and may be quite heterogeneous.
Available formats for users.
  • Manual database and 1:50,000 and 1:63,000 topo maps.
  • A series of reports by the former NZ Wildlife Service and the Department of Conservation.
Access constraints. Information is freely available.
Measurement Accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Completeness of dataset To be completed by database manager.
Positional accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Database steward (former) NZ Wildlife Service
Database custodian Department of Conservation
Database custodian contact person Tim Holmes
Database custodian Contact
Address
Phone
Fax
Email		 Department of Conservation
Private Bag
Wanganui
+64 6 345 2402
tholmes@doc.govt.nz
References Numerous reports have been prepared reporting on the regional results of the survey. For example:
Moynihan, K.T. 1986. Wildlife and sites of special wildlife interest in the western Waikato Region. Fauna Survey Unit Report No. 41. New Zealand Wildlife Service, Department of Internal Affairs : Wellington.

Hogarth, I. 1987. Survey systems and survey data in districts. In Proceedings of the survey seminar held at University of Auckland 12 June 1987. DOC Northern Region Misc Report Series No. 1.
Date metadata record prepared. October 1999
Author of metadata record. Victoria Froude

 

Management Evaluation

  
Original purpose. The ongoing loss of indigenous forest and wetland habitats led to the establishment of the Fauna Survey Unit of the New Zealand Wildlife Service in the late 1970's. The purpose of this unit was to undertake a nationwide survey to identify Sites of Special Wildlife Interest. This information was to be used for management and conservation planning and for the initial assessment of the environmental consequences of projected developments. Each regional survey attempted to visit all wildlife sites of significance. Inspections were brief because of the need to build up a national inventory in as short a time as possible.
Relationships with classification systems. Species taxonomy.
Relationships with other databases Major part of many local authority databases on significant natural areas in their region/district.
Known relationships with proposed EPIP indicators. Not known
Database uses?

This paper based database has been used extensively by government agencies, local authorities and community organisations. While the database is still being used there are increasing problems due to the age of the data.

Major uses include:

  • a major contributing data source for Protected Natural Areas Programme surveys (particularly the earlier surveys).
  • regional council and territorial local authority planning documents.
  • resource consent hearings.
  • assessments of ecological value.
Public awareness of the database This database is widely known and used.
Database strengths.
  • For its time this was an outstanding first in the field of wildlife habitat inventory (Hogarth, 1987).
  • Ddata is still used.
  • Data with the wildlife habitat maps provided evidence for Town and Country Planning Act and Resource Management Act work and for land management agencies for many years.
  • Provides information on species distribution.
Database limitations.
  • Areas below a minimum size (10ha forest; 0.5ha wetland) were not surveyed.
  • First completed survey of Northland did not include shrublands. This is a problem because shrublands are some of the most important habitats in the region for kiwis and lizards. It was also the area targetted for exotic afforestation during 1982-85 when 100,000ha were converted to exotic pine plantations (Hogarth, 1987).
  • Manual data storage and retrieval. Limited number of copies are available.
  • While the ranking system was as good as could be devised at the time, it was not particularly consistent and did not lend itself to reclassification if circumstances changed (Hogarth, 1987).
  • The database has generally not been updated - there is no process for a rolling review.
  • Much of the data is now outdated, particularly as some habitats have been removed or significantly degraded.

 

What are the Current and Emerging Uses of the Database for:

  
Assisting with determining historic state/baseline. The database can assist with determining bird distribution and abundance and wildlife habitat value during the 1970's and 1980's. Matching with current data can show historical changes.
Assisting with determining current state/baseline. Most of the data is old and needs updating.
Assisting with modeling possible future outcomes. N/A
Risk assessment. It identifies sites of wildlife habitat value that could be vulnerable to development pressures.
Monitoring site selection and sample design. It could be used to stratify different types and/or rankings of wildlife habitat at a general level. Currency would need to be assessed prior to use.
Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally or nationally. This would be possible.