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Monitoring wetland condition: ‘Coordinated monitoring of NZ wetlands’

Monitoring wetland condition: ‘Coordinated monitoring of NZ wetlands’. Bev Clarkson Landcare Research Private Bag 3127, Hamilton . Co-ordinated monitoring of NZ wetlands. Sustainable Management Fund Project ( MfE ) Wetland classification – Johnson & Gerbeaux 2004

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Monitoring wetland condition: ‘Coordinated monitoring of NZ wetlands’

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  1. Monitoring wetland condition: ‘Coordinated monitoring of NZ wetlands’ Bev Clarkson Landcare Research Private Bag 3127, Hamilton

  2. Co-ordinated monitoring of NZ wetlands • Sustainable Management Fund Project (MfE) • Wetland classification – Johnson & Gerbeaux 2004 • Monitoring changes in extent • Ward & Lambie 1999 • Monitoring wetland condition: • mataurangaMaori-based indicators • Harmsworth 2002 • science-based indicators • Clarkson et al 2004 http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biocons/restoration/docs/handbook2004.pdf

  3. Bog Swamp Main freshwater wetland types Bog Fen Marsh

  4. Wetland condition system • Five ecological indicators based on threats known to degrade wetlands • Compared against an assumed natural state • Each indicator scored /5 • Added to provide Wetland Condition Index (WCI) /25 • Indicators are: • Changes in: • Hydrological integrity “hydrology” • Physicochemical parameters “soil” • Ecosystem intactness “intactness” • Browsing, predation & harvesting “pest-free” • Dominance of native plants “weed-free”

  5. Condition methodology • Scored at both wetland scale and plot scale • Field survey, classification, mapping, and establishment of representative plots • Plots permanently marked, vegetation, soil, water sampled and analysed • Add other monitoring, eg birds, fish, water, photos • Plot data and overall assessment of wetland used to finalise scoring of indicators • Reassess condition at suitable intervals eg 1,2,5 years

  6. Natural Natural Natural Degraded Degraded Degraded Intactness Intactness Intactness Hydrology Hydrology Hydrology Soils Soils Soils Weed- free Weed- free Weed- free Pest- free Pest- free Pest- free Intactness Intactness Intactness Pest-free Pest-free Pest-free Hydrology Hydrology Hydrology Weed-free Weed-free Weed-free Soils Soils Soils Moanatuatua Bog Condition Changes 1975–2000

  7. Illustrating trends over time in wetland condition e.g., wetlands in a region 1975–2000 (n=48)

  8. NZ wetland database

  9. Mean Regional Wetland Scores

  10. Specific monitoring purposes: Dunearn Bog Southland Before VegetationPlots Water Levels White & McNutt 2004 After

  11. Uses of index: wetland restoration • Wetland Condition Index (WCI) can be used for restoration project goal setting & evaluation • Assess wetland state (WCI) at t=0 • Identify where improvements can be made • Aim for a realistic improvement and time frame • E.g. goal is to achieve 25% increase in WCI by year 5 • ie pre-restoration WCI of 12/25 has increased to 15/25 due to fencing, weed control & planting programme.

  12. Lake Serpentine bog restoration t=0 (2006) t=4 (2010)

  13. Evaluating Success

  14. Summary: Recommendations • Update, coordinate and collaborate • Refine monitoring methods • To encompass national requirements and approaches • DOC, AC, RCs, Community Monitoring • Specific areas identified thus far: • Modify some indicator components, expand descriptors, develop pressures • Revise and update wetland monitoring handbook (web)

  15. Acknowledgements • Ministry for the Environment • Regional, District and City Councils, Department of Conservation, CRIs, Universities, Iwi, Forest & Bird, wetland community groups plus many other organisations • BD Clarkson, BK Sorrell, JC Ward, PN Reeves, PD Champion, TR Partridge • Wetland scientists, managers, landowners, and individuals who assisted the project

  16. BOG FEN SWAMP MARSH SHALLOW WATER Classification of freshwater wetlands based on water & nutrients Wetland type Water source Water flow/fluctuation Nutrients pH Rainfall Low Low Low/acidic Groundwater Medium Medium Medium Surface water High High Neutral/high

  17. Cover Cane rush Wire rush harakeke Raupo Sedge Increasing nutrients Species-nutrient relationships

  18. Natural Degraded Intactness Hydrology Soils Weed- free Pest- free Intactness Pest-free Hydrology Weed-free Soils Cockayne Wetland Condition Changes 1982–2000 Urban wetland, Christchurch City

  19. Monitoring changes in extent • Important for State of the Environment (SOE) reporting & priority setting • Approach involves mapping of vegetation types using wetland classification system • e.g., Atkinson naming system of vegetation composition and structure - manuka shrubland, sphagnum mossfield, manuka/sphagnum shrubland, manuka/sphagnum mossfield

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