Many threatened fauna species occur in and immediately adjacent to exotic plantation forests. These can be placed into four broad habitat groupings, reflecting the behavioural and dietary preferences of particular species: (1) those that frequently inhabit plantation stands on a long-term basis; (2) those that prefer indigenous forest but also utilise exotic plantations for particular purposes; (3) species that occur in riverine or wetland habitats in or adjacent to exotic plantations; and (4) coastal species that utilise exotic plantation forests adjacent to the sea coast.

1. Inhabit plantation stands on a long-term basis
   Species that inhabit stands of exotics and/or cutover areas on a long-term basis (e.g. long-tailed bats, kiwi, NZ falcon, long-tailed cuckoo, kauri snail, lizards) tend to be insectivorous or predatory and they are generally also present in neighbouring indigenous stands.
   
2. Mainly inhabit indigenous forest
   The species present mainly in indigenous forest enclaves or neighbouring indigenous forest (e.g. kereru, kaka, kakariki, kokako, invertebrates) tend to be predominantly vegetarian, although these species may use plantation forests for corridors, nesting, and even foraging.
   
3. River and wetland habitats
   Many species are wetland specialists and inhabit rivers (whio/blue duck, freshwater fish), streams (native frogs), or wetlands (bittern, rails, crakes, fernbird).
   
4. Coastal habitats and species
   A few threatened species occur in plantation forests along coastal habitats (e.g. penguins, New Zealand dotterel).

The protection of threatened fauna that occur in and around plantation forestry presents many challenges. There is a need to not only protect their habitats, but also to consider whether species-specific management is needed to overcome the negative impacts of introduced predators and browsers.

Fortunately, most species that occur in plantation stands are relatively mobile animals and careful harvest planning can often provide for their dispersal to alternative habitat. Some of the threatened animal species that occur in plantation forests and indigenous forest are threatened by habitat extent and quality, but most are now threatened by the impacts of introduced predators. Where a number of threatened species are present, populations can be sustained by implementation of a carefully planned management regime that provides sufficient protected habitat, predator control, and monitoring. Integrated pest control can help to protect a suite of fauna species as well as plantation trees and native vegetation.

Animals of rivers, wetlands and the coast, however, are most affected by habitat quality, such as water quality and the extent of riparian zones. Some are also influenced by predation and disturbance. The interconnectivity of protected wetland areas is critical for the long-term survival of many wetland species.

The fauna section of these guidelines provide species-specific information to assist in the survey, management and monitoring of threatened fauna and identifies where further information and support can be obtained.