Rivers

Habitat degradation and the introduction of exotic plant and fish species have adversely affected kōura populations throughout New Zealand. However, there are a number of measures that we can use to restore kōura populations in lakes, rivers and streams.

New research has revealed that citizen science monitoring of water is a win-win for scientists and volunteers—one gains access to new data, and the other the skills and confidence to become involved in discussions over what is happening to their streams.

The ability to properly manage our freshwater resources requires a solid understanding of the flora and fauna which live in and interact with them.

These are some publications related to the Environmental flows programme.

Publications related to the Hydrological observations and predictions programme.

How much water is in our rivers and groundwater aquifers, how has that has changed over time and how might it change in the future?

This is a user guide on non-native fish, reptile, invertebrate, algal and plant species that are recorded in New Zealand freshwaters.

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.

These guides are designed for rapid identification of freshwater flora and fauna for use in biomonitoring.