Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan Relatively high rainfall: 1700-2000 mm. Highest along the Bryant Range. Occasional very intense rainfall events. Southeast aspect - slopes generally sheltered from strong winds and storm events. Ridge crests very exposed to prevailing westerly winds and storms. Winter snow on Bryant Range is occasional and ephemeral. No maritime or coastal influence. Relatively high elevation: 80-1214 m altitude range; mean altitude 600m. 3. Water Permanent Flowing Streams Generally, very good water quality with most areas draining intact catchments. Localised high impacts from forestry. B. The Biological Environment [Part of Pelorus Ecological District] 1. Predominant Indigenous Vegetation Detailed in Table 3 Total area of Bryant ecosystem is 10,537 ha, of which 81% is in native forests, 13% is shrubland, 5% is plantation forestry and 1% is pasture. (Note: Percentages based on interpretation of 1990 satellite images.) Originally, predominantly a mosaic of tall and short-statured forest and shrublands - correlating with degree of influence of ultramafic substrate, topography and natural disturbance. Tussocklands, rocklands and low-statured shrublands on bluffs, slips, outcrops and the crest of the Bryant Range where ultramafic and climatic influences are high. Ecosystem still largely intact with the exception of the lower altitude parts of Tinline and Heringa Streams, and Maungatapu, Rai and Ronga Saddles. Regenerating shrublands in some of these areas. 2. Communities and Habitats Very distinctive, low-fertility forest, shrublands and tussocklands on ultramafic substrate (Nelson/Marlborough mineral belt) supporting locally endemic ultramafic species, and nationally or regionally rare species; some communities, especially tussocklands, rocklands, shrublands and stunted forest, endemic to the mineral belt due to the tolerance by their species to high levels of trace elements, especially nickel; some of these communities have their stronghold in Bryant ecosystem; upland forest unusual in Marlborough for supporting pink pine and southern cedar upland softwoods and associates more typical of northwest Nelson; high density of southern rata in places - nationally important. App Two - 22