Exploring mangroves of the Manukau, New Zealand; the secret lives of animals
Abstract
Accelerated seaward growth of the mangrove Avicennia marina subsp. australasica over the last century has altered the ecology of estuarine and coastal ecosystems throughout North Island, New Zealand. Expansion has created a... [ view full abstract ]
Accelerated seaward growth of the mangrove Avicennia marina subsp. australasica over the last century has altered the ecology of estuarine and coastal ecosystems throughout North Island, New Zealand. Expansion has created a myriad of real and perceived social-ecological issues regarding the future of the local communities who live in these areas and potential impacts to New Zealand biodiversity. As a result, there have been many applications submitted to regional councils for their removal. However, the social-ecological issues and related impacts are not yet well understood and there are significant knowledge gaps. Further research is necessary for making informed and evidence-based decision-making around the removal and preservation of these mangrove systems. Whilst there has been a strong effort to quantify benthic community compositional change following mangrove establishment and subsequent removal, there is a lack of long-term monitoring of other groups of organisms, particularly terrestrial vertebrate and invertebrate species. This research presents the findings of integrated biodiversity surveys collected at four sites in mangroves of Manukau Harbour (March-Apr 2018). A range of different non-invasive techniques were employed to record presence/absence data of reptiles, mammals, fish and birds utilising mangroves. These integrated assessments are the first of their kind in New Zealand mangroves and will provide valuable insights into species present and differences between and within sites. It will also provide information regarding ecosystem function and health of degraded and fragmented mangroves. The results of these assessments could be implemented in policy for both national and international mangrove biodiversity monitoring.
Authors
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AMRIT DENCER-BROWN
(Auckland University of Technology)
Topic Areas
Topics: Communicating marine conservation , Topics: Estuary and coastal restoration , Topics: Conservation at the land-sea interface
Session
OS-8A » Communicating Marine Conservation 2 (13:30 - Wednesday, 27th June, FJ Auditorium)