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Stories
Clarence Ecology Values
Thoughts from Alan Mark
| The
Clarence forms the core of the Kaikoura Ranges and should
obviously be included in the national park being proposed
for the Kaikoura Ranges by the Forest and Bird Protection
Society. A national park comprising the 80,000 hectares of existing conservation land on the Seaward and Inland Kaikouras would protect and recognise the values of one of the countrys most spectacular and important dryland regions: A Drylands National Park to complement the other 14 national parks, all of which protect high rainfall, mostly forested ecosystems. Unlike many other countries we have overlooked the importance of our drylands even though they are as typical, as spectacular, and as biologically unique as our high rainfall regions. The Kaikouras are a special part of New Zealand with the highest mountains in the country (2885m Mt Tapuae-O-Uneuke) outside the central Southern Alps. They are a "biodiversity hotspot", being one of five main centres of species evolution and endemism (most notably the Marlborough rock daisy) on the mainland. The Kaikouras contain about a quarter of our higher plants and have one of the most diverse lizard and insect faunas in the country. They provide the only nesting site for Hutton's shearwater and the easternmost habitat for kea. Recreational opportunities range fro many short walks to remote experience and wilderness, including rafting and kayaking on the spectacular and remote Clarence River. Professor Alan Mark Otago University http://www.botany.otago.ac.nz/staff/mark.html |
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| Day
One Clarence / Acheron to Big Eddy
Day Two Big Eddy to Quail Flat Day Three Quail Flat to Figit Hut Day Four Figit Hut to Pot Garden Day Five Pot Garden to Matia Flat Day Six Matai Flat to Clarence River bridge Back to Clarence 2004 starting point
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