Conference 2003
Greening the City:
Bringing Biodiversity Back
into the Urban Environment
Abstract:
Indigenous
Biodiversity in Bay of Plenty Cities
Willie Shaw (Wildland Consultants, Rotorua)
Tauranga and Rotorua
are the two largest urban centres in the Bay of Plenty Region and
both are situated at the junction of key major ecosystems. Tauranga
is part of one of the fastest growing parts of New Zealand and is
situated adjacent to Tauranga Harbour. It also adjoins the sea
coast and associated coastal dunes, and contains other significant
remnants of indigenous vegetation and habitats for indigenous fauna.
Rotorua overlaps with a major geothermal field and related surface
features and contains many remnants of thermal vegetation and important
avifauna habitat. It is also situated on the shores of Lake Rotorua
and satellite settlements are situated on the shores of other major
lakes — most of which have increasing problems with deterioration
of water quality.
Tauranga City has undertaken
a major survey of remaining natural areas, established a monitoring
network, and identified opportunities for ecological restoration.
It is also grappling with major growth issues, ecological and other
constraints to growth, and issues related to the environmental effects
of major new infrastructure such as large-scale residential development
and roading. The City now has active programmes underway for the
restoration of Mauao (Mt Maunganui), weed monitoring and control
along an extensive section of duneland, and increasing planting
of indigenous species. There is also increasing activity by community-based
restoration groups.
A similar pattern is
evident in Rotorua, where the District Council has also undertaken
a survey of remaining natural areas and is working with the community
to restore a major urban wetland at Hannah's Bay and restoration
of lake margins and wetlands at Lake Okareka. There are also community-based
initiatives along the Ngongotaha Stream and in local reserves.
There is tremendous potential for the restoration of geothermal
habitats in the centre of the city, in Kuirau Park.
Similar initiatives are
also underway in other Bay of Plenty urban centres, such as Kawerau.
- There is a dispersed
network of degraded natural areas in urban places close to where
people reside;
- Good baseline information
on the extent and composition of remaining natural areas;
- A strong desire by
motivated local residents to improve the state of their natural
environments;
- An increasing commitment
from Councils to protect and restore indigenous biodiversity in
and adjacent to urban settings.
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