volunteer team searched 70 ha over 4 days. A total of 5,817 plants were surveyed,
4,712 of which were pulled. Effective execution of this simple method is critical to
the success of the MEP on Stewart Island. Marram grass will be eradicated from
Doughboy Bay over the next 3–4 years, but only if operations are conducted
annually, systematically, and with precise spatial control. Eliminating the first
99 % of marram from the Doughboy site has proved relatively straightforward,
compared with the task of finding and destroying seedlings. If missed, these
seedlings will produce flowering plants within 24 months. The Department of
Conservation operations team employed the grid search method for the first time in
January 2010 and the method was honed and improved over the 2010/2011 season.
Establishing smaller management units, installing the boundaries of these units on
the GPS units carried by the operations team, and checking coverage on a daily
basis have ensured the necessary coverage.
5.4.5 Economic Costs
The cost of the MEP on Stewart Island, primarily involving ten dune systems,
eight of which are dune systems of national conservation significance, is
approximately NZ$ 240,000 pa in 2010. Most of this cost, approximately NZ$
180,000, was spent at Mason Bay. This sum comprises labor (NZ$ 86,000);
helicopter spraying (NZ$ 11,000); herbicide purchase (NZ$ 12,000); transport of
people and supplies by fixed wing aircraft and helicopters (NZ$ 25,000); and
maintenance supplies and sustenance (approximately NZ$ 24,000). The University
of Otago has an annual contract (NZ$ 13,000) to assess the effectiveness and
environmental impact of the MEP at Doughboy and Mason Bay and to contribute
to the development of the MEP strategy.
A technical advisory committee, the ‘‘Dune Restoration Advisory Group’’’ was
formed in 2009 to achieve effective communication among managerial, technical,
and operational staff within the Department of Conservation and between the
Department and University staff. The DRAG meets twice a year. In addition,
University and DoC staff participate in joint field evaluations at least twice a year.
These forums have provided opportunities for important technical and strategic
developments during 2010 and 2011.
The cost of annual operations at Doughboy Bay is currently just NZ$ 11,000.
This sum should decline significantly over the next 2–3 years as the need for
helicopter operations declines. By 2013–2015 the Department hopes to enter a
surveillance phase involving the annual deployment of two rangers who will use
knapsack spray equipment to spray emerging seedlings or plants growing from
stranded rhizome. The annual cost of operations at Doughboy Bay should then fall
to approximately NZ$ 2,000 pa.
5 Restoration of Foredunes and Transgressive Dunefields
87
4,712 of which were pulled. Effective execution of this simple method is critical to
the success of the MEP on Stewart Island. Marram grass will be eradicated from
Doughboy Bay over the next 3–4 years, but only if operations are conducted
annually, systematically, and with precise spatial control. Eliminating the first
99 % of marram from the Doughboy site has proved relatively straightforward,
compared with the task of finding and destroying seedlings. If missed, these
seedlings will produce flowering plants within 24 months. The Department of
Conservation operations team employed the grid search method for the first time in
January 2010 and the method was honed and improved over the 2010/2011 season.
Establishing smaller management units, installing the boundaries of these units on
the GPS units carried by the operations team, and checking coverage on a daily
basis have ensured the necessary coverage.
5.4.5 Economic Costs
The cost of the MEP on Stewart Island, primarily involving ten dune systems,
eight of which are dune systems of national conservation significance, is
approximately NZ$ 240,000 pa in 2010. Most of this cost, approximately NZ$
180,000, was spent at Mason Bay. This sum comprises labor (NZ$ 86,000);
helicopter spraying (NZ$ 11,000); herbicide purchase (NZ$ 12,000); transport of
people and supplies by fixed wing aircraft and helicopters (NZ$ 25,000); and
maintenance supplies and sustenance (approximately NZ$ 24,000). The University
of Otago has an annual contract (NZ$ 13,000) to assess the effectiveness and
environmental impact of the MEP at Doughboy and Mason Bay and to contribute
to the development of the MEP strategy.
A technical advisory committee, the ‘‘Dune Restoration Advisory Group’’’ was
formed in 2009 to achieve effective communication among managerial, technical,
and operational staff within the Department of Conservation and between the
Department and University staff. The DRAG meets twice a year. In addition,
University and DoC staff participate in joint field evaluations at least twice a year.
These forums have provided opportunities for important technical and strategic
developments during 2010 and 2011.
The cost of annual operations at Doughboy Bay is currently just NZ$ 11,000.
This sum should decline significantly over the next 2–3 years as the need for
helicopter operations declines. By 2013–2015 the Department hopes to enter a
surveillance phase involving the annual deployment of two rangers who will use
knapsack spray equipment to spray emerging seedlings or plants growing from
stranded rhizome. The annual cost of operations at Doughboy Bay should then fall
to approximately NZ$ 2,000 pa.
5 Restoration of Foredunes and Transgressive Dunefields
87