For Peat's Sake
The Lake Serpentine complex consists of three separate lakes joined by a wetland area. The lakes and their margins are Wildlife Management Reserve and managed by Department of Conservation and Waipa District Council. These are one of the few lakes in the Waikato with an intact native macrophyte community remaining, and for this reason it is the Waikato Conservancy's priority lake site.
History
- Wetlands were once a widespread feature of the landscape within the lower Waikato Basin and Hauraki Plains, through which the Waikato, Waihou and Piako Rivers run. In pre-European times, the extensive swamps of the Waikato basin were an important resource base for Māori. Many Pā (fortified settlements) were sited adjacent to the swamps or in the swamps themselves, utilising the swamp for its defensive effect – making palisades less necessary.
- In the process of converting forested areas to farms, many swamps were drained on a large scale by commercial land companies in the 1800s, but drainage schemes continued into the 1900s. Today, only 20% of the original extent of wetlands in the region remain.
- In some areas, however, drainage was incomplete, perhaps because the land was too marginal or difficult given the technology at the time. The Serpentine Peat Lakes (or Rotopiko) was one such area. While these wetlands have been inexorably altered by surrounding land use, they nevertheless remain intact – if not in their original form. Evidence of attempted drainage and clearance can be seen in the stand of large kahikatea next to the peat lake; not tall enough to be original; they are likely to have regenerated decades ago from kahikatea swamp forest that was cleared but remained unsuitable for stock owing to its sogginess underfoot.
How peat lakes differ from other lakes
Peat forms from the build up of partially rotted plant material in wet environments. Peat lakes form in peatland areas such as bogs. Peat soils have a marked effect on the physical, chemical and biological nature of peat lakes. For example, the water is usually stained a brownish colour due to the high levels of dissolved organic matter leaching from adjoining peat soils. Water in the bottom of the lake is usually mildly acidic and often low in dissolved oxygen.
Peat lakes have unique plants and animals that have evolved to cope with their acidic conditions. Changes in water quality due to the surrounding land use could threaten these specialised plants and animals.
Peatlands
Peatlands take many thousands of years to develop. They develop where the rate of plant growth is greater than the rate of decay, and contain plants that are specially adapted to the waterlogged conditions and low nutrient levels. Peatlands are fragile ecosystems that are susceptible to fire, increases in nutrients and the effect of drainage.
Birds of the Peatland
Unique plants and animals have adapted to living in the conditions provided by peat lakes and adjoining wetlands. A diverse range of bird species either depend on or frequent wetlands and can be found on the open water or around the margins of the lakes. The Australasian bittern and the New Zealand dabchick are two resident species now classed as ‘threatened’ due to low numbers and disappearing habitat. Other species include waterfowl like grey duck, grey teal, New Zealand shoveler, little black and black shag. The margins provide habitat for species such as banded rail, marsh and spotless crake, white faced heron, pukeko and North Island fernbird. Common introduced species include mallard duck, canada geese and black swan.
This Earthcache
Location .1. At S37 57.106 E175 19.190
- What is the title of the sign and name three other places to visit to view this?
- What has been re-created near to this sign?
Location.2. At S37 57.046 E175 19.157
- When did these Peat Lakes begin to form?
- Despite the living conditions what 4 aquatic (live in water) based species can be found here?
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