More than a swamp - report on the economic values of Whangamarino Wetland, Waikato

The case for wetland conservation has been strengthened with a new report on Whangamarino Wetland, the Department of Conservation says.

"The Economic Values of Whangamarino Wetland", released today, is focused on work prepared for DOC by Ashburton hydrologist John Waugh on the wetland's role in the flood control scheme in respect of the Lower Waikato River.

The managed use of Whangamarino Wetland as a store of floodwaters avoided damage bills of $5.2 million (in 2007 dollars) that would otherwise have been caused by the flood of 12 July 1998, the report said. Since 1995 there have been 11 floods in which Whangamarino's water storage function was called upon.

Of the 7290 ha extent of the wetland, around 1500 ha is owned and managed either by the Auckland Fish & Game Council, or by individuals for gamebird hunting. Hunters have revealed the value they place in Whangamarino Wetland by their actions, e.g. wetland conservation work funded and organised by Fish & Game, as well as individual volunteer work, and Fish & Game and individual land purchases.

DOC spokesman Bernie Napp said that wetlands have been often undervalued, explaining why more than 90 per cent of these ecosystem types in New Zealand have been drained or otherwise converted to other land uses in the last 150 years.

"They might look like swamps but wetlands are where eels and whitebait and all sorts of unusual native bird and plant species live. Wetlands also provide 'ecosystem services' such as water purification and sediment removal, carbon sequestration, and in some cases amenity values as well."

For these reasons, among others, private interest in wetland conservation in New Zealand is growing, Mr Napp said.

Original Article | Full Version (Scoop)