Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan 9 Pelorus Kahikatea, Rimu, Beeches, Alpine Tussocks, Kaka, Robin, Inland Western, Wet, Non to Weakly Schistose Ecosystem A collection of massive mountains, very steep dissected hills and large valley systems are the predominant feature of this land ecosystem. Sedimentary strata and weakly developed schists make up the very steep to moderately steep inland hills and mountains with substantial amounts of colluvium and alluvium coating the lower slopes and valley floors. The narrow floodplains between the ranges having had a constant progression of river courses snaking across the surface, have built up a series of sinuous undulating terraces with layers of fans building up on the surface, themselves being cut into by subsequent rivers and streams. Towards the sea, narrow tidal flats mix the fresh and saline waters, deltas trying to constantly claim land back from the sea. Elevation is generally high and rainfall very high with snow on the tops in winter and the valley floors exhibiting extreme bitter frosts; there is very little maritime influence. Extensive forest tracts. Table 10 Indigenous Vegetation and Landforms - Pelorus Ecosystem Landform Components Geology Remnant Native Past and Potential Vegetation Native Vegetation 1. Steep to very steep upper Siliceous, Pelorus Alpine Openlands Alpine Openlands hill and mountain slopes Group sedimentaryMid-ribbed snow tussockland. Mid-ribbed snow 700-1756 m elevation rocks and weakly Carpet grass turfland. tussockland. developed Coprosma-hebe subalpine Carpet grass turfland. Marlborough Schistshrubland. Coprosma-hebe subalpine Cushion-herb-rockland. shrubland. Forest Cushion-herb-rockland. Mountain beech forest Forest (treeline). Mountain beech forest Red-silver -mountain beech (treeline). forest. Red-silver- mountain beech Red beech-silver beech- forest. kamahi forest. Red beech-silver beech- kamahi forest. App Two - 48