New Zealand's biodiversity is unique: 100% of the country's frogs and reptiles, 90% of the insects, 80% of vascular plants, and 25% of bird species are only found in New Zealand³.

Invasive species are recognised as an important challenge in the catchment and greater region. The Otago Regional Council has classified 49 species⁴ of plants and animals in the region as pests due to the threats they pose. With that the Upper Clutha Catchment is home to a valuable ecosystem that needs protecting and restoring.

Monitoring the extent of invasive species can provide an insight into the extent and control of threats to our ecosystems.The predator control areas with the catchment are highlighted on the map.

Pest control efforts across the catchment have been on a steady increase the last three years, as the number of active traps (including automatic traps) across the catchment has been increasing.

The number of pests caught continues to increase as well, indicating that pest presence remains an issue.

In 2022, the dominating pests caught in the catchment are rats (40%) followed by possums with 12%.

Continued efforts to control pests in the catchment is an important contribution to the national Predator Free 2050 goal, which is working towards an Aotearoa New Zealand where our native species are safe from extinction and thrive alongside us.

Wilding conifers are a threat to native plants and animals as they compete for sunlight and water. Particularly high-risk areas of wilding conifer invasion are the high country and tussock grasslands of the catchment, which are further threatened by water demand and fire risk associated by the increase in wilding conifers. While WCIS, the Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group, and Central Otago Wilding Control Group continue their wilding pine management efforts, it is important to consider the increasing threat that spreading exotic forest cover may pose on the catchment.

The wilding conifer data are currently only sourced from the WCIS, which only covers a fraction of the spatial extent of the catchment.

At the time of analysing the existing data sources, the Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group was newly established in the region. As such, their efforts and activities are not represented in this work due to their early stage of development. However, their important work is acknowledged and the intention is that data, should they become available, will be included in any future updates of the Upper Clutha Catchment Health Monitoring Framework.