There has long been a need for standardised, cost-effective methods for assessment and monitoring of estuaries. Cawthron was awarded a three-year contract by the Ministry for the Environment in July 1999, to develop a new national protocol for environmental assessment. The research is supported by the Sustainable Management Fund , along with 10 city, regional or district councils covering representative coastal regions on both the North and South Islands. Habitat mapping We are using a combination of habitat mapping and analysis of potential environmental performance indicators, for eight New Zealand estuaries representing a range of latitudes and ecotypes. During the first year of the programme, the emphasis has been on generating habitat base maps of each estuary.
Habitat mapping is carried out using a staged approach to maximise coverage and minimise effort.
The first stage includes the use of colour aerial photography for the generation of vegetation base maps. This is followed by more intensive field surveys to identify and map features not distinguishable through photography. Rectification and vegetation mapping is being conducted on the other seven estuaries. When the base maps are done, field work for each individual estuary will take place and the development of environmental performance indicators will follow. Watch this space for further developments.