The Biocapacity pilot project’s purpose is to establish local community’s capacity[I] to support and deliver any biocapacity project in the region.
The proposed biocapacity pilot project at Paremata flat applies advanced ecological afforestation techniques to fast track a natural succession[II] from the land's current exotic grass cover to productive and site-adapted indigenous trees, managed as permanent canopy forest that help maintain indigenous biodiversity, effectively offset organisations' Carbon Footprint, establish premium quality resources for future generations, while yielding materials and energy on a sustainable basis.
The Paremata flat (Wakapuaka river, Cable Bay) was identified as a suitable biocapacity pilot project site after considering key factors that are essential for its success, such as:
Superior suitability as a research and demonstration site for a wider range of native (and compatible) species.
Greater potential to access local, national and international funding sources that ensure pilot project funding continuity.
Good accessibility of the site.
More efficient re-forestation and site management.
Indigenous biodiversity restoration of a river flats environment (LENZ classification, 2004) where native biodiversity is acutely threatened.
Location in the Wakapuaka valley, which Nelson Biodiversity forum considers being a top priority for Biodiversity maintenance, due to widespread community support for biodiversity restoration.
The ‘Paremata flat’ site is therefore perfectly suited to achieve the purpose of this biocapacity pilot project.
[I] Expertise, reliable funding, significantly up-scaled productivity of top-quality natural resources
[II] Ecological afforestation models apply species’ synergies to establish in excess of 100 top quality canopy trees per hectare, as opposed to 1-3 top quality canopy trees per hectare, if a forest was to be left to regenerate naturally or by restoration planting.