Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan 3 Cook Strait Taupata, Ngaio, Rengarenga, Tuatara, Diving Petrel, Exposed, Dry, Maritime Ecosystem Highly exposed maritime land ecosystem. High coherence of cliff face landforms with a collection of jagged stacks and harsh rocky islands. Steep, exposed and daunting sea cliffs, peninsulas and headlands. Wild and scenic sea coast. Dry climate coupled with small catchment areas and few streams. Elevation is low and rocks are predominantly a range of schists and sedimentary strata. Exposure and maritime influence is extreme. Brutal exposure to the elements has shaped a unique Cook Strait vegetation. The sheer nature and the topography and inaccessibility has left some areas, especially islands, predominantly in a natural state. High aesthetic coherence of pastoral landcover. A number of island sanctuaries (Stephens, Chetwodes, Titi and Brothers Islands). Stephens Island tuatara. King Shag stack roosts. Many rare species. Table 4 Indigenous Vegetation and Landforms - Cook Strait Ecosystem Landform Components Geology Remnant Native Past and Potential Vegetation Native Vegetation 1. Steep to very steep Predominantly Forest Forest dissected cliff bounded weakly to strongly Ngaio-taupata forest. Ngaio-taupata forest. islands developed Kohekohe-karaka-nikau Kohekohe-karaka-nikau 0-280 m. elevation Marlborough forest. forest. Schist Kohekohe-broad-leaved Kohekohe-broad-leaved milkt ree forest. milktr ee forest. Vineland Herbfield Pohue hue vinel and. Silver tussock-muttonbird Herbfield groundsel tussock-herbfield. Silver tussock-muttonbird groundsel tussock-herbfield. App Two - 24