8. Indigenous Biodiversity Volume One Anticipated environmental result Monitoring effectiveness 8.AER.2 Monitoring of sites identified through the Significant Natural Areas programme shows an improvement in Maintenance and enhancement of the the values of those sites. condition of ecosystems, habitats and areas with indigenous biodiversity value. Baseline monitoring programmes established in 2010 for a representative sample of terrestrial, river and wetland and in 2014/15 for ecologically significant marine site shows no loss of those values over the life of the MEP. There is no increase in the extent or distribution of known aquatic pest species identified as declared pests in the Regional Pest Management Plan for Marlborough. 8.AER.3 Measured against a baseline monitoring programme established for wetlands in 2010, there is no loss in the There is no loss in wetland area. overall area of wetlands in Marlborough. 8.AER.4 Continuation of community involvement in projects and initiatives such as ‘Tui to Town,’ Grovetown Lagoon Widespread community involvement in restoration, landcare groups, planting of riparian areas, looking after Marlborough’s indigenous etc. biodiversity. The number of landowners protecting private land with indigenous biodiversity values (through formal protection or active management) increases. A voluntary partnership approach with landowners continues to be the primary means of protecting terrestrial areas of significant indigenous biodiversity. 8.AER.5 Use of scheduled criteria to identify ecosystems, habitats or areas present with significant indigenous An increase in knowledge of biodiversity value through resource consent Marlborough’s indigenous biodiversity. applications or where future survey work may be undertaken. The number of private properties over which ecological assessments to determine if there are ecosystems, habitats or areas present with significant indigenous biodiversity value, increases (albeit at a low level) as the active SNA survey has been completed. Any increase in properties surveyed is most likely to arise through resource consent processes. Knowledge and understanding of indigenous biodiversity in Marlborough’s coastal marine area is enhanced through maintenance of the marine database of information and from supporting research in areas where little is known about marine biodiversity. 8 – 18