Freshwater

LakeSPI delivers information that is directly applicable to lake-ecosystem conservation and management. It is being widely used in regional environmental monitoring programs and for national and regional reporting.

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.

Aquatic systems are under threat due to the introduction of invasive exotic species such as water weeds. Modelling work by NIWA has provided new information on which water bodies may be at greatest risk.

Formal identification keys are the scientifically accepted way to identify species. These will allow the identification of species which are unclear when using quick guides.

Compared to other countries, New Zealand has a sparse freshwater fish fauna of just over fifty species. But it is unique and comprises at least thirty-five native species of which thirty-one are found only in New Zealand.

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