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Intertidal habitat mapping for ecosystem goods and services: Tairua harbour

TR 2014/39
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Report: TR 2014/39

Author: Hazel Needham, Judi Hewitt, Michael Townsend, Sarah Hailes (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd)

About this report

In January 2013, Waikato Regional Council (WRC) contracted the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), to develop rapid assessment techniques for mapping of intertidal habitats associated with the provision of ecosystem goods and services. Assessment techniques were trialled and implemented for the intertidal area of the Tairua estuary with the view of providing:

  • Descriptions of habitat types that may be linked to levels of ecosystem goods and services.
  •  Descriptions of the techniques involved in differentiating and mapping habitats, and an analysis of the precision and accuracy/validity of the methods.

This report documents the evolution of the methodology and a proof of concept using Tairua estuary as a test case to build a habitat map. The goal is to generate precursor maps that will facilitate the mapping of ecosystem goods and services in the near future.

Read or download the report

Intertidal habitat mapping for ecosystem goods and services: Tairua harbour [PDF, 2.6 MB]

Contents
  Executive summary
1 Introduction
2 Methods
2.1 Derivation of habitat types
2.2 Pre-field work information
2.3 Field-gear
2.4 Field techniques
2.5 Sediment particle size
3 Precision obtained in field
3.1 Instruments
3.2 Habitat decisions
3.3 Habitat perimeters
4 Habitat Map
5 Recommendations
6 Tairua Habitat Map Updated
7 Acknowledgements
8 References
  Appendix A