Menu

Managing our Environment

Galloway No. 1 Inland Saline Wetland Complex

Description:

Saline site on high terraces on true left of the Manuherikia River at the southern end of the Raggedy Range. The site contains a fully representative Lepidoptera fauna of saline soils and salt tolerant vegetation of Centre Otago. Several uncommon insects occur, feeding on the salt tolerant plants. A rare species of grasshopper is found on the rocky ground above the saline area.

Type/Class:

Inland saline 2

Size:

3.5 ha

Altitude:

180 - 220 m above sea level

Approximate location:

1.5 km East of the intersection of Crawford Hills Road and Galloway Road, Alexandra.
NZTM (centre point): E1323880 N4987830

Regional Plan:

Water for Otago
Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.48, Map 12.

Territorial Authority:

Central Otago District Council

 

Galloway No. 1 Inland Saline Wetland Complex

Recorded Values:

Value

Description

 A1

 Habitat for nationally or internationally rare or threatened species or communities. The only know location of Lepidium sisymbrioides subsp. matau. Lepidium kirkii; other salt-tolerant species are found at the site. 1, 8

 A5

 Scarce in Otago in terms of its ecological or physical character. Less than 18% of inland saline areas remain in Otago. 2

 A2 - A4, A6 - A9

 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information:

  • Soil classified as Saline Immature Semiarid Soil. 8

  • Halophytes present include Atriplex buchananii with a threat status of naturally uncommon, Hordeum spp., Puccinellia raroflorens which has a threat status of nationally critical, and salt grass (Puccinellia fasciculata). 8

  • Invertebrate species recorded include Athrips zophochalca, Eurythecta zelaea, Heliothis sp. nov., Kiwaia thyraula, Loxostege sp. nov., Orocrambus corruptus, Paranotoreas fulva, Scoparia exilis, Scopula rubraria and Sigaus minutes. Sigaus minutes is an endangered grasshopper endemic to New Zealand. 8, 23

  • The Department of Conservation considers the Galloway No. 1 Inland Saline Wetland Complex to be a highly important site for biological conservation. On a scale from 1 (highest value) to 11 (lowest value) the site was given a rank of 2, on the basis of its geographical extent, relative representativeness (the extent to which the site represents the assumed 1840 condition), diversity and rarity of biota and soils. 8

  • Potential threats include dumping of rubbish, fire, fertiliser application, oversowing, and invasion of exotic plants. It is also recommended that erosion be monitored. 8

  • A key site for Lepidoptera, Acrididae and Cicadidae conservation in the Manorburn Ecological District. 24

  • Listed as an Area of Significant Indigenous Vegetation, Habitats of Indigenous Fauna and Wetlands in the Central Otago District Plan. 55

 

Aerial View of Galloway No.1 Inland Saline Wetland Complex (March 2005)

Aerial View of Galloway No.1 Inland Saline Wetland Complex (March 2005)

Galloway No.1 Inland Saline Wetland Complex (2008)

Galloway No.1 Inland Saline Wetland Complex (2008) 2

References:

1 Otago Regional Council (2004) Regional Plan: Water for Otago. Published by the Otago Regional Council, Dunedin.

2 Ausseil, A.G., Newsome, P., Johnson, P. (2008) Wetland Mapping in the Otago Region. Landcare Research Contract Report prepared for the Otago Regional Council.

4 Peat, N. and Patrick, B. H. (1999) Wild Central. Discovering the natural history of Central Otago. Published by the University of Otago Press, Dunedin.

23 Jamieson, C.D. (1996) The grasshopper Sigaus minutus in Central Otago: a pilot study. Science for Conservation: 42. Published by the Department of Conservation, Wellington.

24 Patrick, B.H. (1989) Lepidoptera, Cicadidae, Acrididae of the Manorburn Ecological District. Science and Research Internal Report no. 60. Published by the Department of Conservation, Wellington.

55 Central Otago District Council (2008) Central Otago District Plan, Published by Central Otago District Council, Alexandra.

Back to top
Online Maps & Data: