In 2011 Katie Collins (MRS) and Aminath Nazra (MAppSc(Envt.Mgt)) each completed research on restoration work done by the Trust. Links, and an outline of findings provided by Hamish Rennie, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management and Planning at Lincoln University (and WET Trustee), is below.

Katie’s thesis, submitted as part of her Masters of Resource Studies is a look at Evaluating the effectiveness of riparian plantings on water quality: A case study of lowland streams in the Lake Ellesmere catchment.  It can be downloaded from the Lincoln University Research Archive.

Nazra submitted a dissertation as part of a her Masters of Applied Science. Her topic was Understanding the Spread of Riparian Restoration in the Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere catchment and it is also available from the Lincoln University Research Archive.

Evaluating the effectiveness of riparian plantings on water quality: A case study of lowland streams in the Lake Ellesmere catchment

Katie’s research included surveys of water quality indicators above and below selected restoration sites to see if there was any statistically significant change in water quality that might be attributable to the plantings.

Although the sites selected (on Harts Creek, Birdlings Brook, and Boggy Creek) are often used as good examples of riparian restoration in the Lake’s catchment, they fall well short of the minimum width of planting recommended by experts. They are also relatively short lengths of planting. Consequently, we had not really expected that the plantings would result in any statistically significant improvement in water quality until they were much more mature, if at all.

Some of the results were quite mixed and did not provide any clear evidence of significant changes. However, we were surprised to find significant increases in dissolved oxygen content and decreased turbidity at the downstream ends of the restored sites. Basically, this means better conditions for fish (and clearer water to enable us to catch them!). The results of this research have been accepted for publication in early 2012 in the well-respected, international scientific journal “Restoration Ecology”.

Understanding the Spread of Riparian Restoration in the Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere catchment

Nazra’s research was seriously disrupted by the 22^nd February earthquake. She was particularly interested in understanding how the concept of restoration was being spread in the catchment and applied theories of innovation and diffusion to her analysis.

These approaches are usually used to explain the adoption of new farm equipment or practices, and are not common in looking at restoration work. Because of the earthquake, the results are tentative, but it seems clear that the network of professionals working for community organisations (like WET) and councils play a critical role in the uptake of restoration. This is important as it supports the need to have continuity amongst people in such positions in these organisations and the need for councils to support NGO staffing and their own ‘care’ people if the community is to see real improvements on the ground.

From a Trust perspective it was good to get this independent validation of the efforts our staff have expended in building networks with council staff at several levels and, as a ratepayer, the value that councils get from supporting the Trust as well as its own staff. The message to staff is that time spent in networking is not wasted!