Zostera Muelleri: A Comparison of Environmental Variables Between the Maketū Estuary and Seagrass Beds Within the Tauranga Harbour and Waihi Estuary

As the Maketū Estuary re-diversion project neared the point of restoration of water flow, the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Council (WBOPRC) were interested in trialling eelgrass transplants to restore the once abundant beds.

As eelgrass has only been seen to flower rarely in New Zealand, without transplants, it may be some time before a population could re-establish from another estuary. This research fits into a larger framework of a WBOPRC/Iwi large scale project of restoration of the health of the Maketū estuary. It builds partnerships with those groups, with Toi Ohomai as a provider of expertise, and opportunities for our graduates.

The new knowledge from this study helped inform efforts to restore eel grass around the world, as globally there is only about one third of what once existed of this keystone species.

APA References: Russell, E., & Guccione, D.V. (2020). Zostera Muelleri: A comparison of environmental variables between the Maketu Estuary and seagrass beds within the Tauranga Harbour and Waihi Estuary[Report]. Bay of Plenty Regional Council technical report.

Read the full report: Zostera Muelleri: A Comparison of Environmental Variables Between the Maketū Estuary and Seagrass Beds Within the Tauranga Harbour and Waihi Estuary (pdf, 4MB)