Kahutara River (44602)
New Zealand, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Kahutara River
Central coordinates: Latitude: -42.4340, Longitude: 173.5883
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 320
Area of KBA (km2): 7.02647
Protected area coverage (%): 6.77
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: IBA Trigger species: Black-billed Gull, Black-fronted Tern Other species: Besides the trigger species the following are confirmed or likely to be breeding: Australasian Crested Grebe, Black Shag, Pied Shag, Little Shag, White-faced Heron, Black Swan, Canada Goose, Paradise Shelduck, Grey Duck, Mallard, Australasian Harrier, South Island Pied Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Banded Dotterel, Spur-winged Plover, Southern Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, White-fronted Tern, NZ Pigeon, Shining Cuckoo, Morepork, NZ Kingfisher, Welcome Swallow, NZ Pipit, Grey Warbler, South Island Fantail, Silvereye, Bellbird. Californian Quail, Skylark, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, House Sparrow, Starling, Australian Magpie.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 23 | |
| Introduced Vegetation | 23 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Grassland | 23 | |
| Shrubland | 23 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Human disturbance - Yes - Anthropogenic disturbance due to multiple river and riverbed users can impact on breeding and feeding seabirds and shorebirds Predation by alien species - Yes - Feral cats, rats, and hedgehogs are present within the site. Dogs can also be a problem. Trapping and riverbed group ac-tivities and presence can mitigate predation and human disturbance impacts Habitat loss or degradation - Yes - Weeds encroaching on nesting habitat Contamination - No Natural disaster - Yes - Flooding can impact on nest sites Parasite or pathogen - No Other - No
Additional information
References: O’Donnell, C.F.J., Hoare, J.M. 2011. Meta-analysis of status and trends in breeding populations of black-fronted terns (Chlidonias albostriatus) 1962-2008. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 35: 32-43