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Estuarine vegetation survey : Waikawau Estuary

TR 2013/39
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Report: TR 2013/39

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 harbours, Whangamata, Otahu, Wharekawa, Tairua and Manaia have been re-surveyed to determine changes in vegetation communities over time.

Estuarine vegetation survey : Waikawau Estuary [PDF, 2 MB]

Contents
1 Introduction  1
 2  Methodology  1
2.1 Wetland vegetation classification  2
3  Field Notes 3
3.1  Summary 3
3.2  Site descriptions 6
3.3  Birds  24
3.4  Threats  24
4  Discussion and Recommendations  26
5  Bibliography  28
6  Appendix 1 – GPS locations of figures  29