Regional estuary monitoring programme: Benthic macrofauna communities, April 2001 to April 2002: Southern Firth of Thames and Whaingaroa (Raglan) Harbour
Report: TR 2004/08
Author: Stephanie Turner, Nick Carter
Abstract
In April 2001 Environment Waikato initiated the Regional Estuary Monitoring Programme at five permanent monitoring sites in both the southern Firth of Thames and Whaingaroa (Raglan) Harbour. It is a long-term programme with the objective of monitoring the temporal changes in intertidal sediment characteristics and benthic macrofauna communities which may occur as a direct or indirect consequence of catchment activity and/or estuary development. This report presents the results of monitoring a suite of 26 'indicator' species/taxa characteristic of the intertidal benthic communities. It is envisaged that the Regional Estuary Monitoring Programme will provide relevant information useful in setting policy and assisting with the sustainable management of estuaries in the Waikato Region.