Estuarine Vegetation Survey – Raglan (Whaingaroa) Harbour

Report: TR 2012/35

Author: Meg Graeme, Natural Solutions – Marine and Terrestrial Ecologists Ltd

Abstract

A 1997 pilot study of Whangamata, Wharekawa, and Otahu estuaries determined that it is feasible to map vascular estuarine vegetation from aerial photography together with field surveys. The success of this work encouraged Environment Waikato to continue with this method. The estuarine vegetation of Tairua, Coromandel, Te Kouma, Manaia, Whitianga, Port Waikato, Raglan, Aotea, Kawhia, Otama, Whangapoua harbours and the inner Firth of Thames have since been surveyed and mapped. Of these harbours, Whangamata, Wharekawa, Otahu, Tairua, Coromandel, Te Kouma, Manaia, Whitianga and Port Waikato have been re-surveyed to determine changes in vegetation communities over time.

The vegetation that has been mapped is within the Coastal Marine Area (CMA) and includes the spatial cover of mangrove, seagrass, sea meadow, saltmarsh and estuarine weed communities. The results of the estuarine vegetation surveys are included in Environment Waikato’s Global Information System (GIS) database, and are used for State of the Environment investigations and assessing resource consent applications that may affect estuarine vegetation.

This report details the results from the second survey of estuarine vegetation in Raglan Harbour which was first surveyed in 2004. Comments are included about the estuarine vegetation present, the threats to native estuarine vegetation communities, and other field notes of interest. This report accompanies the aerial map and estuarine vegetation community overlays of the survey site.

Estuarine Vegetation Survey – Raglan (Whaingaroa) Harbour [PDF, 2.5 MB]