Volume One 7. Landscape 7. Landscape Introduction Our landscapes provide us with a Marlborough identity and are an integral part of the Marlborough environment. Landscapes are distinct spatial areas influenced by location-specific processes within the environment. These processes can be natural or human-induced (e.g. land use change). Natural features within the landscape can also help to define a landscape. The resulting landscape characteristics are expressed visually, but can be valued for their ecological significance or for intrinsic reasons (e.g. by providing a sense of place). The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) identifies the protection of outstanding natural features and landscapes from inappropriate subdivision, use and development as a matter of national importance (Section 6(b)). Those landscapes that do not meet the threshold of being considered 'outstanding' may still make a contribution to the visual appreciation or amenity values of Marlborough. The RMA seeks to maintain and enhance these landscapes with visual amenity value (Section 7(c)). For the purposes of this chapter, landscapes that are identified for Section 6(b) or 7(c) reasons are referred to as “significant landscapes.” There are five broad landscape areas in Marlborough: the Richmond Range and associated mountain ranges; the Wairau and Awatere River Valleys; the mountainous interior; the Marlborough Sounds; and the remainder of the coastal environment. Richmond Ranges These mountains enjoy a wetter climate than their counterparts to the south. As a consequence, and due to the steep landform, the slopes and valleys are predominantly covered in indigenous forest. Although plantation forestry and intensive pastoral farming are evident within the valleys and on some of the lower slopes, especially along the north bank of the Wairau River, the majority of the land is managed by the Department of Conservation. A number of European and Māori historic and cultural elements can also be found within this landscape, particularly within the eastern coastal margin from Rarangi in the south to Oyster Bay in the north. Wairau and Awatere River valleys These river valleys are characterised by their broad, low lying outwash plains confined to the Wairau River plain and the Awatere River valley. These plains are bounded by the characteristic rolling hills of Southern Marlborough. This vastly modified landscape contains urban developments, pasture, forestry, horticulture and vineyards. Mountainous interior The mountainous interior south of the Wairau River is an extensive, largely inaccessible tract of land comprising rugged hills and mountains that reach 2,800 metres above sea level in some places. This landscape is largely bare, although remnant indigenous vegetation exists in alpine areas and in many of the river gorges. Some of the land is used for extensive pastoral farming. Due to vegetation clearance that has occurred, the biophysical aspects of this area are somewhat diminished; however, its bold landform, characterised by underlying geology, geomorphology and natural erosion processes, is typical of high country areas. The Marlborough Sounds The Marlborough Sounds display a unique combination of landforms formed by drowned river valleys, resulting in a highly fractured coastline with numerous offshore islands. Shaped largely by physical and climatic influences, the Marlborough Sounds include very 7 – 1