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Estuarine vegetation survey : Coromandel and Te Kouma Harbours

TR 2013/40

Report: TR 2013/40

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 : Coromandel and Te Kouma Harbours [PDF, 3.4 MB]

Contents
1 Introduction 1
2  Methodology 1
2.1  Wetland vegetation classification 2
3  Field Notes 5
3.1  Coromandel Harbour 5
3.2  Te Kouma Harbour 28
3.3  Threats 37
3.4 Birds 38
4  Discussion and Recommendations 38
5  Bibliography  40
Appendix 1  GPS locations of figures  42
Appendix 2 GPS locations of spartina sites 43