Waiau River (44603)
New Zealand, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Waiau River
Central coordinates: Latitude: -42.5842, Longitude: 172.7828
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 620
Area of KBA (km2): 87.80517
Protected area coverage (%): 3.26
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, Wrybill Besides the trigger species the following species are confirmed or likely to be breeding: White-faced Heron, Australasian Harrier, Canada Goose, Paradise Shelduck, Mallard, Grey Teal, Californian Quail, Pukeko, South Island Pied Oystercatcher, Variable Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Banded Dotterel, Spur-winged Plover, Southern Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, NZ Pigeon, Rock Pigeon, Shining Cuckoo, White-fronted Tern, NZ Kingfisher, Welcome Swal-low, NZ Pipit, Grey Warbler, South Island Fantail, Silvereye, Bellbird, Skylark, Hedge Sparrow, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yel-lowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, House Sparrow, Starling, Australian Magpie. Other species record-ed: Black Shag, Little Shag.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced Vegetation | 23 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 23 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 23 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Grassland | 23 |
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 activities and presence can mitigate 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: Grant, A. 2015. Data extracted from DOC River Survey Database. O’Donnell CFJ. 2000. The significance of river and open water habitats for indigenous birds in Canterbury, New Zealand. Environment Canterbury Unpublished Report U00/37. Christchurch, Environment Canterbury. 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 Palmer, P. 2013. Compilation of “Summary of intrinsic values” chapters from Canterbury Conservancy’s intrinsic values catchment reports: Hurunui-Waiau Zone. Department of Conservation, Christchurch.