8. Appendices
8.1 Description of the issues covered in this study
WATER
Ground water and surface water quality
The entry of contaminants into ground water resources. These include leachates from fertiliser (especially nitrates), septic tanks, and pesticides.
Water resources
Changes in the amount of water yield or flow (surface and ground water) over place or time. Includes changes resulting from abstraction for use, diversion, changed hydrological characteristics of land (e.g, increased stormwater runoff peaks from urban development).
Waterways
Physical and biological changes to surface waterways (e.g., drains, streams, ponds). Includes effects of earthworks, vegetation clearance/growth (e.g., willows), as well as nutrient changes (a water quality issue) which may result in buildup of choking aquatic weed.
Stormwater runoff
Changes to runoff from land and /or structures on the land. Increased surface runoff typically results from increased areas of hard or impermeable surfaces. A specific form of >water resources=. Usually results in increased flows over short periods and may increase the total flow.
Sediment generation into waterways
The movement of fine sediment (e.g., fine gravels, sands, silts, clays) into surface waterways. Such accumulations are undesirable because they may adversely affect aquatic habitat, stream flow regimes (increased flooding or flow diversion) and water quality. Sedimentation may result from broad area, surface-soil erosion (e.g., following cultivation), from earthworks such as building sites or road excavation. Can also be regarded as a water quality issue. Sediment generation may also come from wind erosion of soils (e.g., sand dunes) and it may or may not be deposited in waterways. Sedimentation effects are often short term and are most strong during subdivision establishment.
SOIL
Versatile soils
The loss of access to or availability of soils which are highly valued for primary production. This loss may arise from top soil being scraped and/or covered by hard surfaces (e.g., buildings, roads) or from other uses such as mining.
Soil erosion
The loss of soil from a site by the action of water or wind. The loss may be surficial (e.g., from rill or wind erosion across a cultivated paddock) or may be more localised, from a landslide, soil slip, gully or loss from an excavated surface. The main concern is the on-site loss of productive soil, but erosion may also result in "sediment movement into waterways", "water resources", and associated effects.
Soil quality/health
This deals with attributes of soil which are important in the role of soils for supporting production and for maintaining ecosystems. Issues may be physical (e.g., soil compaction, soil structure), chemical (e.g., nutrient status, acidity, toxicity) or biological (e.g., the activities of soil microorganisms).
BIOLOGICAL
Weed Diversity
The number and composition of plants considered to be weeds.
Weed Spread
The ability of weeds to spread and become a nuisance over more extensive areas, including adjacent land uses and properties.
Mammals
The numbers and activities of feral and domesticated mammals and the effects they may have on other components such as birds.
Insect and bird pests
The type and nature of insect, bird and pest and pathogen problems.
Indigenous plant biodiversity
The composition, extent, and quality of remnant native vegetation and plant species. It also includes the attitudes and actions of landowners to such biodiversity.
Indigenous animal biodiversity
The number and diversity of birds, especially native species, but also exotic ones.
Habitat Diversity
The composition and structure of vegetation and other factors which affect the range of habitats available for animals and other plants. Increasing trees, shrubs etc. tends to increase habitat diversity by creating new places to "anchor", and a wider range of temperature, wind, radiation and moisture conditions.
GENERAL
Noise
Noise nuisances created for other residents. Includes noises from farm machinery, vehicles, animals.
Spraydrift
The movement of chemicals being sprayed onto crops or pastures (e.g., toxic pesticides and herbicides, less often fertilisers) on to other areas by wind drift. These chemicals in the wrong places may be toxic to plants, animals, and humans and/or may cause a smell nuisance.
Fire Risk
The risk or possible intensities of potential fires. This is often influenced by the supply of fuel (e.g., from buildup of dry vegetation) and/or the risk of ignition.
Dust
Airborne particles carried by the wind. The nuisance value may arise while particles are in the air, or on settlement. The particles are usually sourced from soils or sediment from cultivation, excavation etc. May also include dust from processes that may be associated with rural subdivision, such as timber cutting, surface preparation, and crop cleaning/processing.
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Information Services
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
Fax: +64 4 894 0721
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