Freshwater quality

LakeSPI can be used in many ways depending on what the interests or management needs are for a lake.

LakeSPI (Lake Submerged Plant Indicators) is based on the principle that New Zealand lakes can be characterised by the composition of native and invasive plants growing in them, and the depths to which these plants grow.

These are some recent publications related to the causes and effects of water quality degradation programme.

Developing & monitoring technologies, statistical assessment methods & community approaches to assess the state, trends & drivers of water quality.

NIWA has developed a model to assess the potential weed risk of aquatic plants.

NIWA is involved in research and consultation' aimed at improving the health of our freshwater systems.

Small native fish eat a range of benthic invertebrates in streams. The larvae of mayflies and caddisflies are the most important food species, with chironomids being important for juvenile fish and in streams where all other prey are scarce.

A problem with recruitment is usually indicated by the absence, or very low density, of fish where they would normally be present.