Science Centres: Aquatic Biodiversity and Biosecurity

For the uninitiated, a ‘macrophyte’ is an aquatic plant large enough to be seen with the naked eye.

In February, staff from DOC and the West Coast Regional Council learnt a lot more about identifying these plants in a two-day workshop in Hokitika run by NIWA scientists Paul Champion and Paula Reeves.

The hands-on workshop was based on using NIWA’s quick guides, covering the five different macrophyte groups (e.g., free-floating plants, submerged plants). Participants also got to look at specimens, and practise identifying macrophytes in the field.

Tom Belton from DOC described the workshop as ‘well organised and well structured for participants with a range of previous experience and knowledge.’

Download the quick guides for free at www.niwa.co.nz/ncabb/tools