Appendix Two E Marine - Middle Pelorus Collective Characteristics: Mainly Sheltered Waters relatively sheltered, turbid and warm; mostly muds with conspicuous sparse marine life and fringed by narrow cobble reef. A. The Physical Environment 1. Form/Geology Typically a narrow (20-50m) near-shore rubble reef grading into sand/shell and mud habitats with increasing depth and distance from shore. Extensive and uniform areas of mud/silt extend beyond the near-shore zones across most of the Sound’s seafloor. 2. Dynamic Features and Processes, Including Climate Relatively sheltered, with limited wave fetch in most places; Tawhitinui Reach is the major exception to this rule. 3. Water Moderate to high sediment loadings, especially towards the inner Pelorus. Waters are generally clearer beyond Tawero Point. Relatively warm waters, particularly towards the inner Pelorus. Moderate tidal range, with noticeable currents along the main channels and off headlands. B. The Biological Environment Distinctive Biota, Communities and Habitats Natural Biodiversity, Productivity and Biotic Patterns Low diversity and coverage of macro-algae (dominated by Carpophyllu m spp. and Cystophora sp.) generally confined to a narrow zone immediately below the low water mark. Reefs appear relatively barren, with encrusting and mobile invertebrates the dominant organisms. Conspicuous surface organisms are relatively uncommon over the mud/silt bottom, though in places where environmental conditions are favourable, species such as horse mussels, scallops, brachiopods, bryozoans and hydroid trees occur, sometimes in high densities. Few and relatively small inter-tidal wetlands at the heads of large bays and inlets. C. Potential for Restoration Restoration of riparian habitat. App Two - 67