Appendix 2 Volume Three 11. Islands of Queen Charlotte Sound and White Rocks Abiotic Values - Marine submergence has created Blumine, Pickersgill, Long, The Twins, Motungarara and Motuara Islands, which are separated from the mainland and the larger Arapawa Island by narrow passages. - Long Island cuspate foreland is a regionally important geological feature. - The islands have an exposed, steep and rocky character to the north and more sheltered southern tips. - White Rocks are a good example of a very small, exposed, sparsely-soiled rock stack system. Biotic Values - All Islands within this outstanding natural character area are predator free. - Long Island harbours the endangered little spotted kiwi. - Pickersgill Island is regionally significant for its flora and fauna. - Motuara Island features regenerating bush and many species of native bird endangered on mainland New Zealand. - Blumine Island is home to the world’s most endangered Kiwi, the rowi and other endangered New Zealand birds. Features regenerating bush. - A marine reserve of national significance surrounds Long Island and Kokomohua Island. - Largely unmodified near-shore and in places off-shore marine environment. - Unmodified White Rocks holds a unique ecosystem with limited flora and is a breeding colony for the nationally endangered king shag. Experiential - The steep and often rugged bush clad slopes are highly natural. Values This network of islands and rocks combine to create a memorable experience for - visitors to the outer Queen Charlotte Sound. 12. Mt Stokes Abiotic Values - Mt. Stokes is one of the most dominant landforms in the Marlborough Sounds, with its upland ridge crests and summits reaching 1,203m above sea level. - A number of watercourses extend from this central massif, and have long, high gradients with the water quality being amongst the highest in the Sounds. Biotic Values - Original forest covers most of the upper slopes of Stokes massif and its summit supports the only occurrence of subalpine vegetation in the Sounds. - Natural biodiversity is high due to the range of altitude, landform and habitat types; especially enhanced by subalpine communities. Experiential - The area straddles the inner and outer Sounds, where extreme weather can also Values play an important aspect in the areas experiential values. - The mountain top and associated ridges define and frame the associated bays and due to their lack of modification, retain very high remote and experiential values. App 2 - 24