Key Biodiversity Areas

Waimakariri River (44607)
New Zealand, Australasia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1aA1bA1cB1D1a
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Waimakariri River
Central coordinates: Latitude: -43.0057, Longitude: 171.7467
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 800
Area of KBA (km2): 199.69335
Protected area coverage (%): 18.84
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: Black Shag, Little Shag, White-faced Heron, Paradise Shelduck, Canada Goose, Mallard, Australasian Harrier, Pukeko, South Is-land Pied Oystercatcher, Pied Stilt, Banded Dotterel, Spur-winged Plover, Southern Black-backed Gull, Rock Pigeon, Shining Cuckoo, NZ Kingfisher, Welcome Swallow, NZ Pipit, Grey Warbler, South Island Fantail, Silvereye, Bellbird, Skylark, Hedge Sparrow, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Redpoll, House Sparrow, Starling, Australian Magpie.

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Forest5
Introduced Vegetation24
Grassland24
Wetlands(Inland)24
Shrubland24

Additional information


References: DOC River Survey Database (2013). Keedwell RJ 2005. Breeding biology of black-fronted terns (Sterna albostriata) and the effects of predation. Emu 105: 39−47. O’Donnell CFJ, Moore SGM 1983. The wildlife and conservation of braided river systems in Canterbury. Fauna Survey Unit Report 33. Wellington, New Zealand Wildlife Service, Department of Internal Affairs. 73 p. 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 Environment Canterbury Unpublished Report U00/37.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 OSNZ National Wader Database Palmer, P. 2013. Compilation of “Summary of intrinsic values” chapters from Canterbury Conservancy’s intrinsic values catchment reports: Waimakariri Zone. Department of Conservation, Christchurch. Wilson, G. (2001) National distribution of braided rivers and the extent of vegetation colonisation. Landcare Research Con-tract Report: LC0001/068.