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Managing our Environment

Three Stones Fen Complex

Description:

Palustrine wetland complex made up of eight areas of red tussock dominated fen. 112

Type/Class:

Fen. 2

Size:

58.1 ha.

Altitude:

260 - 300 m above sea level.

Approximate location:

1 km North of the intersection of Owaka Valley Road and Lochindorb Runs Road, Clinton.
NZTM (centre point): E1321880 N4867950.

Regional Plan:

Water for Otago.
Schedule 9 Regionally Significant Wetland, no.151, Map F49.

Territorial Authority:

Clutha District Council.

 

Three Stones Fen Complex

Recorded Values:

Value

Description

A1

 Habitat for nationally or internationally rare or threatened species or communities. Presence of the sedge Carex tenuiculmis (At risk-Declining) and Spaniard Aciphylla subflabellata (At risk-Declining). 111, 112

A4

 High degree of naturalness. 2

A2, A3, A5 – A9

 No relevant information is currently held by the ORC.

 

Other Information:

  • Composition of red tussock (Chionochloa rubra) and Juncus sp.. 2

  • Other indigenous plant species include Chaerophyllum ramosum, Drosera spatulata, Gonocarpus micranthus, Leucopogon fraseri, Gaultheria macrostigma, Nertera villosa, sun orchid (Thelymitra sp.) and wire rush (Empodisma minus). 111, 112

  • Recorded native bird species include Paradise Duck, Pukeko, Skylark and Welcome Swallow). 112

  • Portions of the wetland have been modified through draining, damming, construction of a farm track and the introduction of exotic plants species and stock). 111, 112

  • Two other fen complexes are located nearby; Kuriwao Saddle Fen Complex is c. 800 m to the south, and Hazeldale Fens are c. 2 km to the south west. A QEII covenant (5/12/113) protects the south eastern portion of the Kuriwao Saddle Fen Complex). 112

  • There are several other protected areas in the wider area. The Waiwera River Conservation Area (2.6 ha) and Waiwera River Marginal Strip (10 ha) are c. 600 m and 1.3 km north east of the Three Stones Fen Complex, respectively. Two protected areas that are part of the Catlins Conservation Park (136.1 and 100 ha) are situated 4.5 and 6.8 km to the east and the Owaka Valley Scenic Reserve (58.8 ha) is 5.5 km to the south east). 112

 

Aerial view of Three Stones Fen Complex (March 2006)

Aerial view of Three Stones Fen Complex (March 2006)

 

Three Stones Fen Complex (November 2009)

Three Stones Fen Complex (November 2009) 51

References:

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.

51 Otago Regional Council – Photo Archive.

111 Wildland Consultants (2013) Three Stones Fen Complex. Ecological assessment prepared for Otago Regional Council.

112 Boffa Miskell Ltd (2013) Three Stones Fen Complex – Assessment of Regional Significance Prepared for Meridian Energy Ltd.

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