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Now Browsing: Habitat Studies NZ
This collection of papers looks at the important field of marine work which seeks to describe and map habitats in the marine environment and the methods used to do this work. Habitat mapping is a key tool used to underpin the design of MPA's.
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[Full title: Hydrographic Surveying in Marine Protected Areas: Investigations and Recommendations for Guidelines for Creation and Monitoring]
Added to archive on 07/04/2007 and placed in the following categories:
Habitat Studies NZ |
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The authors undertake a survey of shallow subtidal reefs in north-eastern New Zealand, identifying a number of commonly occurring “habitat types”. In this paper the abundances of habitat-forming species within each of these habitats are quantified and the validity of the subjective classification system is tested. In addition to previously-described reef habitats from north-eastern New Zealand a number of other habitat types were encountered and described. The paper concludes that there is strong evidence that the habitat classifications used in this study are biologically meaningful based on the abundances of habitatforming algal groups. Furthermore, the authors submit this demonstrates that these habitat types can be reliably categorised visually, which has important applications in classification and mapping of the marine environment.
Added to archive on 06/22/2007 and placed in the following categories:
Habitat Studies NZ |
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This report produces a map that is the first to cover the whole Cape Rodney to Okakari Point Marine Reserve (approximately 500 ha.) and adjacent areas since the initial survey by Ayling (1975-1979). Survey methods included side scan sonar, drop-down video, aerial photographs, scuba and snorkelling. The author submits that the analysis and comparison of this new habitat map with the one done by Ayling, shows great variations after 30 years of protection: an increase of the Ecklonia forest higher than 30% and a decrease close to the same percentage for the urchin barrens within the reserve. Habitats outside the reserve don’t show any significant difference. These results support the habitat surveys done at smaller scales aswell as those on populations of snapper, crayfish, kina and Ecklonia done since the creation of the reserve, and are related to what is called “top-down regulation” or “trophic cascade”.
Added to archive on 06/22/2007 and placed in the following categories:
Habitat Studies NZ |
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This report records extensions and updates of the habitat maps of the marine area at Mimiwhangata Marine Park and Paparahi Point, northen New Zealand, completed in 1973 and 1981. Areas of seafloor were surveyed using a combination of remote operated vehicle drop video, and side-scan and single-beam sonar techniques. Aerial photographs were used to map shallow habitats and to assess historical changes in the distribution and extent of algal forest. A map of physical and biological habitats was produced covering an area of approximately 8700 ha. A significant finding was that extensive long-term habitat change has occurred in the shallow rock reef habitats at Mimiwhangata. The past history of scientific study at Mimiwhangata coupled with the variety of habitats and diversity of marine life present suggest that Mimiwhangata is an ideal candidate site for greater marine protection and further scientific inquiry.
Added to archive on 06/22/2007 and placed in the following categories:
Habitat Studies NZ |
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This report is the product from a habitat investigation of the Doubtless Bay area completed in April - June 2005. The authors conclude that the marine habitats of Doubtless Bay are typical of those generally on the Northland east coast, but the large area of low reef in the central part of the Bay is a special feature which may have value as a nursery area for fish. The extensive occurrence of kina barrens suggests that snapper and crayfish have been seriously depleted. The authors recommended that the report and maps should be used widely to promote awareness within the community of the marine values of Doubtless Bay, and to foster moves toward improved management including establishment of marine protected areas and marine reserves as the central core of any restoration programme. Monitoring at a few key sites could involve the local community. The complexity and diversity of habitats represented in Doubtless Bay suggest that the area is an ideal candidate site for some form of marine protection.
Added to archive on 06/21/2007 and placed in the following categories:
Habitat Studies NZ |
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A selection of aerial photographs, habitat maps and bathymetry maps of Doubtless Bay, Northland.
Added to archive on 06/21/2007 and placed in the following categories:
Habitat Studies NZ |
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