Riverflows, January - March 2014
River flows JFM, 2014
Freshwater Quality
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Water Quality maps and information, January - March 2014
River water temperatures and visual clarity of rivers.
Water Quality maps and information, April to June 2013
River water temperatures (AMJ)
Riverflows - April to June 2013
Riverflow maps April to June 2013
Causes and effects of water quality degradation – a year in review
New Zealand's freshwater and estuarine resources are a key national asset providing significant economic, social and environmental benefits.
Aquatic Biosecurity – a year in review
There are a wide range of freshwater pests, existing and potential, that pose a significant threat to New Zealand's environment and economy. These are of concern to both the public and those responsible for their management. The goals of the aquatic biosecurity programme are to:
Ensuring ecosystem health/aquatic rehabilitation – a year in review
Many of New Zealand's rivers, lakes and estuaries are in a degraded state, restricting their ecosystems and the services they provide for society - abundant fish, desirable places for recreation, safe drinking water for humans and livestock.
River flows - January to March 2013
The January to March map shows the duration and intensity of the North Island drought
Water Quality maps and information, January to March 2013
River water temperatures (JFM)
Summer temperatures were mostly in the range 12-24oC
New LakeSPI website: Keeping tabs on lake health
Many New Zealand lakes are under threat due to changes in land-use and invasions of alien aquatic plants. NIWA's LakeSPI (Lake Submerged Plant Indicators) is a bio-assessment tool for monitoring and reporting on the ecological condition of lakes. The LakeSPI website has been updated with improved functionality.
River flows - October to December 2012
River flows - October to December 2012
The three month map (on the right) shows that most of the North Island rivers are below or far below normal, together with the northern South Island.
The South Island West Coast rivers were normal to below normal, and Southland and East Coast rivers were normal to above normal.
Water Quality maps and information, October to December 2012
River water temperatures (OND)
Spring river water temperatures were mostly in the range 8-20oC.
Conserving threatened aquatic and wetland plants
NIWA has recently been represented on the New Zealand Indigenous Threatened Vascular Plant Panel Meeting.
Freshwater diversity and biosecurity data re-packaged
We collect a range of ecological data as part of our day-to-day research and services.
Freshwater biodiversity at high altitude: discovering what lives in our alpine streams
After 150 years of research, one might assume that we have a fairly complete picture of the invertebrate communities in New Zealand streams and rivers. However new research suggests that high altitude streams have distinctly different, poorly-known, biological communities.
New Zealand’s freshwater under pressure
A recurring theme at the November 2012 NZ Freshwater Science Society Conference (NZFSS) attended by NZ's leading experts on freshwater science, was the recorded decline in quality, health and resilience of a number of freshwater ecosystems in this country.
River flows, July to September 2012
The three month flow map (on the right) shows that much of New Zealand experienced normal or above normal river flow conditions.
Water Quality maps, July to September 2012
River Temperatures (JAS)
Winter river water temperatures were mostly in the range 0 to 16oC
Nutrient spiralling study in the Tukituki River, Hawkes Bay
Intensive land use increases nutrient runoff to rivers, lakes and estuaries with adverse effects on ecosystems. Determining what combinations of land use and management enable the health and services of these ecosystems to be maintained or restored is a major challenge for councils.
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