This site is unique within our Waiora Manuherekia project as it is both our only regionally significant wetland and our only ephemeral wetland. Recognising its special ecological value, we supported the landowners by funding fencing materials to help protect the area.
The landowners constructed the fencing in separate plots, creating a series of trial areas. These plots are now being used in a grazing trial in partnership with the Otago Regional Council (ORC), designed to better understand the impacts of grazing management on ephemeral wetland health.
The purpose of the grazing trial is to monitor the effects different grazing regimes have on the turf communities of the ephemeral wetland areas of Kirk Creek Headwaters Marsh Complex. Three trail plots will be monitored by the ORC, these will be assessed after 3, 5 and 10 years. The trial plots are measuring full stock exclusion, cattle only exclusion, and no stock exclusion
By combining practical on-farm infrastructure with scientific monitoring, this project is helping to safeguard the values of a rare wetland type in the catchment while also providing valuable insights to guide future land management practices.
