7. Landscape Volume One steep to moderately steep dissected coastal hills and a mixture of vegetated and cleared mountain slopes. Some parts of the Marlborough Sounds are modified through agricultural, forestry and residential land uses and aquaculture activities in the coastal marine area. A number of significant Māori and European historic and cultural elements also contribute to this landscape. The East Coast From Rarangi in the north to Willawa Point on the Kaikoura Coast, the east coast of Marlborough provides a variety of landforms. In the north, the coastal environment comprises a sequence of dunes and swales moving inland, although these features have been modified by agricultural and residential activities. There are two significant river mouths - the Wairau and Awatere rivers - and two significant saline lagoons - Vernon Lagoons and Lake Grassmere. Salt is harvested from Lake Grassmere. The remainder of the coastline is rugged and relatively inaccessible. From Cape Campbell south, this coastline is characterised by dramatic limestone features. The presence of water, in terms of lakes, rivers, wetlands or the sea, makes a significant contribution to the overall landscape and any reference to landscape within the Marlborough Environment Plan (MEP) includes reference to these water environments. It is important to recognise that there is significant diversity in landscape within the broad areas identified above. This diversity is partly a response to variation in geological and ecological processes. Human activity has also had a considerable effect on our landscape over time, while current land use continues to influence the landscape character of Marlborough. Because the underlying human and natural processes are subject to change and evolution, landscapes are dynamic systems. Issue 7A – Resource use and changes in resource use can result in the modification or loss of values that contribute to outstanding natural features and landscapes and to landscapes with high amenity value. The use and development of natural and physical resources has always played an important role in sustaining Marlborough communities. The landscape within which this resource use occurs also makes a significant contribution in this regard. For Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi in Marlborough, particular features within the landscape are taonga. The wider community enjoys and values the landscapes that exist within the Marlborough Sounds, Richmond Ranges, in the Wairau and Awatere River valleys and in the mountainous interior. Our landscapes collectively make a significant contribution to our wellbeing and help provide us with a Marlborough identity. The use and development of natural and physical resources changes the landscape. This can take several forms, such as: the introduction of built form where there is currently none or where it is introduced into prominent locations; the introduction of colour contrasts those in the existing landscape; or the introduction or removal of vegetation that affects pattern and texture within the landscape. Landscape change can occur at a range of scales and timeframes, be they site- specific or broad scale, immediate or incremental and potentially cumulative. Not all change in the landscape will result in a loss of landscape values. In fact, some changes have enhanced landscape values. An example of this is the indigenous revegetation in the Marlborough Sounds. Other landscapes are a direct result of resource use. For example, the conversion of pastoral land to viticulture in the river valleys has created a landscape of structure, seasonal colour contrast and colour contrast with the surrounding landscape. These examples demonstrate the dynamic nature of our landscape. Although our landscape is dynamic and will continue to change in response to future resource use, there are some landscapes that the community values above others. The importance of 7 – 2