Lake Heron, wetlands and catchment : reconciliation of conflicting uses
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Date
1984
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Thesis
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Abstract
The steady increase in the demand for land and water resources within
the high country has increased the pressure on the resource base and
the opportunity for conflict between existing and would-be resource
users. It is acknowledged that to adequately satisfy all the various
use demands, there is a need for a planning approach which recognises
the qualities and limitations of the land for each possible use, which
identifies possibilities for integration of uses and which recognises
and accounts for the demands and aspirations of all user interests.
This study demonstrates such an approach, using as a case study, the
Lake Heron basin which lies between the upper Rakaia and South Ashburton
Rivers. It begins with a description of the inherent characteristics
of the area, and land classification following the land systems approach
of Christian (1957).
The trends in land use and tenure in the Lake Heron basin are examined
in some detail. The interaction between land uses is also examined,
and in particular the potential conflict between pastoral farming and
wetland preservation is discussed.
Tenure is seen as having a major influence on use and also as a means
by which potential on site conflict is suppressed. Extensive pastoralism
has been shown to have been unsustainable and a trend to more intensive
use of the lower altitude land is recognised. However, it is also seen
that this trend raises the likelihood of conflict with wetland preservation
through nutrient enrichment of waterways from adjoining
intensively grazed land. It is noted that protection of natural values
occurring outside formally reserved areas cannot be guaranteed without
specific protective mechanisms. Recreational use of the area is seen to
be increasing. Although use densities are not high at present, the
potential for conflict is likely to increase as demand increases.
An evaluation is made of each of the land systems identified in the
land classification, for their suitability for each of a range of
possible land uses. This allows for the identification of suitable uses
as a basis for allocation of land to particular uses.
Suitability is seen as a necessary, but not sufficient condition for
appropriate use of land. The demands and aspirations of user interests
is seen to have an important bearing on the identification of appropriate
uses. To identify these demands, the policies, goals and objectives of
administrative agencies and the aspirations of user groups are
described and clarified.
The approach to reconciling incompatable demands is outlined but not
described. Instead the study concentrates on an examination of the
possibilities for integrating pastoral farming and wetland preservation
within a portion of the Lake Heron basin. The resource requirements of
each are described and a range of pastoral development options are
examined from the perspective of financial viability and the impact on
wetland values.
It is shown that drainage of wetlands cannot be justified on financial
grounds. Irrigation of shallow alluvial fan soils is not financially
viable under current conditions although this may not necessarily impinge
on wetland values. Development of downlands by topdressing, oversowing
and subdivision is shown to be financially viable and is likely to have the
least impact on wetland values.
It is concluded that although a transition to more intensive use of lower
altitude land is necessary and desirable from the runholders perspective,
it is also shown that this need not conflict with the interests of
wetland preservation.
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