Protecting Aramoana's native biodiversity

The Halo Project has received funding from the Otago Regional Council to survey for and control six plant pest species in the Aramoana area, helping to protect and enhance the habitats that our native flora and fauna depend on.

These six species are identified in the Otago Regional Council's Regional Pest Management Plan as threats to the ecological values of Aramoana. These include the regionally significant Aramoana Saltmarsh, as well as coastal habitats supporting hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins and pakake/New Zealand sea lions.

These invasive plants can smother native vegetation, outcompete indigenous species and reduce the quality and availability of habitat for native wildlife.

What have we achieved?

Our Source to Sea team has surveyed for and controlled all accessible populations of these plant pest species within Aramoana village and the backdunes. We have now shifted our focus to ongoing surveillance, monitoring for regrowth and controlling any plants that re-establish.

We're now extending our efforts into the surrounding landscape, establishing a buffer zone from Te Ngaru, over Heyward Point, to Whareakeake. By identifying and controlling plant pest populations in this wider area, we aim to reduce the risk of reinfestation and protect the restoration work already undertaken.

We'd love your help!

We're keen to hear from residents who have any of the six targeted plant pest species growing on their properties.

If you think you have one of these plants in your garden, get in touch! Our team can visit your property, help identify the plants and arrange control.

Contact us at info@haloproject.org.nz or 028 402 3759.

For more information about environmental weeds and how to control them, visit Weedbusters.

The six plant pest species we're targeting:

Banana Passionfruit

What: Tall, climbing vines producing large pink tubular flowers that develop into oval fruit that turn orange-yellow when ripe.

Why: Fruit is eaten and spread by animals. It is capable of smothering other plants and dominating the canopy. It grows rapidly and its stems will layer. Due to this it poses adverse effects to environmental and biodiversity values of the region.

Sycamore

What: Deciduous trees (<20m tall) with smooth grey bark and hairless green shoots.

Why: Forms dense (often pure) stands. Possibly able to release toxins into the soil to stop other plants growing near it. The dense stands prevent recruitment of other species.

Tradescantia (wandering willie)

What: A trailing, soft, hairless perennial groundcover with succulent, creeping stems.

Why: It rapidly establishes from fragments smothering entire areas and preventing native species establishing. Notably, it also causes allergic dermatitis when in contact with cats, dogs and humans and is toxic to pets when ingested.

Gunnera

What: A large, clump-forming, summer-green herb (up to 2m) growing from stout horizontal rhizomes with large sized leaves (80 cm x 1 m). Dies down over winter in cold climates and grows new leaves in spring.

Why: It is known in other regions to shade out other plants, forming dense stands/clumps, spreading to bluffs, wet cliffs and near waterways.

Chilean Flame Creeper

What: A climbing, hairless perennial with a thick rootstock. It has slender stems with curling tendrils. The dull, soft, light green leaves have five leaflets. Tubular scarlet flowers from November to April.

Why: Dispersed by birds, its ability to climb to canopy height causes smothering of bush areas and the prevention of native species establishment.

Darwin’s Barberry

What: Evergreen, spiny shrub with woody and densely hairy stems. Hairless, glossy, dark green leaves, serrated along edges. Hanging clusters of deep orange-yellow flowers appear from July to February followed by oval purple-black berries.

Why: Tolerates most conditions. Animals spread seeds. Forms dense colonies that replace existing vegetation and prevent the establishment of desirable plants.