Restoration
Restoring freshwater ecosystem health in degraded waterways.
Restoration
Restoring freshwater ecosystem health in degraded waterways.
Cawthron Institute holds expertise in the design and implementation of solutions that can restore the health of freshwater bodies and the ecosystems they support. We work with stakeholders and decision makers to understand the challenges and the outcomes that proposed restoration efforts need to achieve. Our areas of expertise include spatial restoration planning, stakeholder and community engagement, and monitoring program design and implementation.
Freshwater Monitoring
We use state-of-the art water quality monitoring tools and sampling techniques to first establish the status of a waterbody’s health and the health of ecosystems it supports. We can design and implement monitoring protocols and use the information we collect to inform the development of restoration projects. These monitoring protocols are then used to track the ecological outcomes of restoration initiatives, whether they be community-led catchment scale programs or targeted lake and stream interventions.
Spatial Restoration Planning
Once we have identified a waterbody’s health status, we can help with spatial restoration planning that can either restore a waterbody to a level of historical health, or create a habitat in a modified waterbody. Our researchers consider multiple values, such as flood conveyance and drainage alongside biodiversity, mahinga kai and fisheries when planning restoration. We have extensive experience with working alongside regional authorities, stakeholders and iwi on restoration projects.
