Braided river weeds
The number of weeds spreading in the wild is now similar to the number of New Zealand native plants. Weeds have a huge impact on native plants and animals in riverbeds:
- Many weeds grow bigger and faster than native plants, eventually replacing them.
- Weedy areas are no longer suitable for many native birds, lizards and invertebrates which need open gravelly riverbeds to survive.
- Weed roots bind and stabilise river gravels, creating fewer and deeper river channels which are unsuitable for wading birds to feed in.
- Aquatic weeds smother the bed of waterways or clog water channels, altering the habitat of native freshwater invertebrates, fish and wading birds.
Existing weeds that are of concern in upper Waitaki Basin braided rivers and wetlands include those listed below. Most of the plants in the list link to the Weedbusters website.
Popular in gardens, Russell
lupin is unwanted in river beds
Other weeds that are not currently known to be in the upper Waitaki Basin but which would be of concern if they became established in its braided rivers or wetlands include:
Purple loosestrife could cause havoc in
the braided rivers of upper Waitaki
Contacts
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Twizel Area Office
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Phone:
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+64 3 435 0802
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Fax:
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+64 3 435 0852
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Email:
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TwizelAO@doc.govt.nz
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Address:
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Wairepo Road
Twizel 7901
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Postal Address:
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Private Bag
Twizel 7944
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