Estuarine Vegetation Survey Whitianga Harbour
Report: TR 2009/15
Author: Meg Graeme (Natural Solutions: Marine and Terrestrial Ecologists Ltd)
Abstract
A 1997 pilot study of Whangamata, Wharekawa, and Otahu estuaries determined that it is feasible to map vascular estuarine vegetation from aerial photography together with field surveys. The success of this work encouraged Environment Waikato to continue with this method. The estuarine vegetation of Tairua, Coromandel, Te Kouma, Manaia, Whitianga Port Waikato, Raglan, Aotea, Kawhia harbours and the inner Firth of Thames have since been surveyed and mapped. Of these surveyed harbours, Whangamata, Otahu, Wharekawa, Tairua and Manaia have been re-surveyed to determine changes in vegetation communities over time.
The mapped vegetation is within the Coastal Marine Area (CMA) and includes the spatial cover of mangrove, seagrass, sea meadow and saltmarsh communities. The results of the estuarine surveys are included in Environment Waikato’s Global Information System (GIS) database, and are used for State of the Environment investigations and assessing consent applications that may affect estuarine vegetation.
The estuarine vegetation of Whitianga Harbour was first mapped in 1999. This report details the results from a re-survey of estuarine vegetation in the Whitianga Harbour. Comments are included on the threats to estuarine vegetation, and other field notes of interest. This report is accompanied by digitised aerial maps of the survey site with vegetation community overlays.
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