2
In this issue..
.
Beachcare groups:
Coromandel Peninsula
3
Feature group - Kuaotunu
Beachcare groups continued
4
Beachcare groups:
West Coast
Feature group - Aotea
10
Beachcare groups continued
11
Photo essay:
Pauanui dune reshape
14
News from abroad
15
Loss of coastal vegetation
16
The Crimson Coast:
The pōhutukawa forests
of the Waikato
18
Biodiversity spotlight
Dotterel on the west coast
20
Pest plant profiles
21
Grow your own:
Pōhutukawa
22
Encourage our pollinators
23
KIA ORA KOUTOU
Hi everyone!
In this issue of the Beachcare Magazine we focus on the natural heritage of our coasts and how our
dunes and coastal forests have changed over time. We take a closer look at New Zealand’s iconic
coastal tree species, the pōhutukawa, and look at ways you can help to reverse its decline.
Ecological research shows there is a dramatic loss in biodiversity when indigenous ecosystems
are reduced to less than 20 per cent of their original extent. Since 1840, 95 per cent of the dune-
land areas in the Waikato have been lost – transformed from functioning ecosystems into forestry,
farmland, car parks, grassed reserves and subdivisions. The extent of unique habitats behind our
dunes have also been severely reduced, with only five per cent of the Waikato region’s coastal
forests now remaining.
This loss in coastal habitat has had a major impact on the indigenous wildlife that inhabits our
coastlines, such as native lizards, insects, butterflies and birdlife. These unique animals play key
roles in the survival of our coastal ecosystems by pollinating flowers and spreading seeds across the
landscape, allowing natural regeneration and succession to occur.
We can all play a part in protecting our native wildlife, and in the Beachcare education section we
explain how you can encourage native lizards, important pollinators for coastal tree species, back
into your garden or Beachcare site.
We also check on the progress made by all the Beachcare groups during 2012 and 2013, highlighting
the crucial role Beachcare volunteers play in helping to protect, restore and where required recreate
our iconic coastal ecosystems.
We hope you enjoy learning more about the natural heritage of the Waikato coasts and gain
inspiration from the hard work and dedication of all our Beachcare volunteers.
The Beachcare team
Cover: Pīngao and pōhutukawa dune
sequence on the Coromandel coast.
