The Black Rock Scientific Reserve was devastated by the fire near Middlemarch. Photo: Stephen JaquieryA massive fire that tore through conservation land near Middlemarch may have had substantial biodiversity impacts in the area, including on a species of endangered native fish. Department of Conservation acting Dunedin operations manager Mike Hopkins said it was bad news for species that depended on the area. Some areas of native shrubland in gullies and around rock outcrops were also destroyed. Most of the park was not burnt and those areas would be important for the recovery of the burnt area as a source of seed and fauna.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 13, 2019 15:32 UTC