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- Pool habitat is estimated to occupy around 40-50% of
the 2.3 km gorge section subject
to proposed flow reductions. The key consideration for maintenance of
pool habitat is
adequate flushing flows to prevent de-oxygenation and other such processes
that could
result in ecosystem collapse.
- Run/riffle habitat inhabitable by fish is estimated
to occupy 5-20% of the 2.3 km gorge
section. A ‘worst case’ estimate of the scale of loss of
run/riffle habitat for koaro and
juvenile longfin eel within the gorge, equates to loss of habitat for
around 200 koaro,
and 200 juvenile longfin eels, should flows be lowered well below the
Q5. This
estimate gives an indication of the scale of potential fish habitat
loss only.
- Overall, habitat throughout all the potentially
affected reach is likely to only sustain
low blue duck productivity due to low invertebrate production and poor
instream
stability.
- Loss of 200 – 500 metres of intermediate
gradient potential blue duck feeding area
may occur, depending upon where the powerhouse discharge is located.
Combined
with the 2.3 km gorge section, this is estimated to represent habitat
capable of
supporting 25-50% of the territory for one breeding blue duck pair that
could be
affected by the scheme.
References
Deans, N., 2003: A Fisheries Survey of the Parapara River.
Fish & Game New Zealand,
Nelson/Marlborough Region July 2003.
Jack, D., Barrier, R., 2000: Shortjawed kokopu (Galaxias postvectis). Conservation
status in
Nelson/Marlborough – Year Two Interim Report. Occasional Publication
No. 47.
Jack, D.C., Barrier, R.F., Goodman, J., 2001: Short-jawed kokopu (Galaxias
postvectis).
Conservation Status in Nelson/Marlborough – Year Three Interim Report.
Occasional
Publication No. 51.
Studholme, B., Barrier, R., Jack, D. 1999: Shortjawed kokopu (Galaxias postvectis).
Conservation Status in Nelson/Marlborough – Year One Interim Report.
Internal publication
no. 31.
Studholme, B., 2000: Blue Duck (Whio). Survey of the distribution and abundance
of blue
duck (whio) in Kahurangi National Park. Department of Conservation, Occasional
Publication No. 46.
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