Other ecosystem services
This report has focused on ecosystem services such as flood water storage and gamebird hunting because of their relative significance and ease of study. But there are other economic values.
Harvesting, recreational fishing
The wetland was traditionally a source of eels/tuna and flax/harakeke for tangata whenua. The rivers of the wetland are fished commercially for eels.
Extensive habitat for whitebait/inanga would benefit the species during the freshwater part of its life cycle, and, indirectly, whitebaiters active in the lower reaches of the Waikato.
Recreational fishing centres on introduced species, such as catfish, rudd and koi carp. While benefiting the people who derive value from this activity, there are few benefits for native biodiversity conservation. A campaign to remove these fish to benefit native species and ecosystems would impact on this fishery.
Sightseeing, birdwatching and other recreational activities
Whangamarino Wetland is located within one hour’s drive of half of New Zealand’s population, principally the population centres of Auckland and Hamilton. While acceptable to gamebird hunters, public access to the wetland is generally limited.
In response to public demand, domestically and from international bird watching tourism, $65,000 has been allocated for the planning and design of a walkway through the wetland and construction will be funded out of existing DOC budgets.
Carbon sequestration
Based on science by Landcare Research, peat bogs may absorb up to 0.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per hectare per year as part of the process of peat formation. While unimpressive compared to manuka/kanuka sequestration rates of up to 9 tonnes of CO2e a hectare a year, active peat bogs may persist in the landscape for thousands of years compared to native forests which grow for an average of 300 years to reach steady state.
Water for irrigation of farmland during dry periods
The construction of a weir to restore water levels to its original state, prior to the wetland’s incorporation into a floodwater storage scheme on the Lower Waikato River, has indirectly benefited farmers by some raising of the water tables upstream of Whangamarino. More water is available for affected farmers during dry periods.
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