Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)
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3 Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods
3.11 Plants and Animals (Biodiversity)
3.11.3 Significant Resource Management Issues
This section briefly sets out the significant plants and animals (biodiversity) issue for the Waikato Region.
Biodiversity of indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna is important in maintaining ecosystem viability, nationally and internationally. Biodiversity provides fresh air, fertile soil and clean water. Biodiversity is reduced when ecosystems are broken up or damaged by inappropriate use of land, air or water, invasion by exotic plants or animals or the unsustainable use of species. The more diverse and complex habitats and life webs are, generally the more resistant an ecosystem is to stresses and changes.
To maintain biodiversity, the life supporting capacity of habitats of the populations making up that diversity and ecosystems must be protected. The range and number of habitats supporting indigenous species have already been severely reduced. Effort must be made to reverse this trend.
Summary of Significant Resource Management Issue |
The following is the significant resource management issue that has been identified from the overview section on plants and animals (biodiversity):
- Biodiversity is important in maintaining ecosystem viability. Biodiversity tends to be lost when ecosystems are broken up or damaged by inappropriate use of land or water, invasion by exotic plants or unsustainable use of species. There has been a reduction in the range, extent and health of indigenous vegetation and habitats of indigenous fauna and this trend is continuing.
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