A team of NIWA freshwater ecologists have completed their research on the use of biodegradable plant mats as life rafts to help reintroduce native aquatic plants to degraded freshwater lakes.
The plant mats, christened ‘roto turf’ by the scientists (roto being Te Reo for lake and turf referring to dense aquatic vegetation) comprise natural fabrics seeded with native aquatic plants. The Rototurf Smart Idea project was funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Project outputs include a Grower's Guide using the RotoTurf mat approach for environmental rehabilitation initiatives in freshwaters, plus a RotoTurf Macrophyte Species Selector tool - this can assist in the selection of aquatic plants that will thrive in different conditions, supporting the restoration of degraded freshwater.
Check out the video NIWA has produced explaining the process:
