| Title | Waikite Wetland Restoration Project: Initial Results |
|---|---|
| Authors | Robert Reeves, Jean Power, Ian Boothroyd |
| Year | 2011 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | Waikite Wetland, Geothermal Field, restoration, geothermal ecosystem |
| Abstract | The Waikite Wetland occupies approximately nine hectares close to the centre of the Waikite Geothermal Area. Several geothermal springs discharge into the wetland in the southeast corner providing a source of hot water into the wetland and an opportunity for a geothermal ecosystem to develop. The wetland area was developed in the 1930’s, and has undergone changes that include land clearing, grazing and altering the path of waterways. The Department of Conservation (DoC) embarked on restoring the Waikite Wetland in 2009 which included a land exchange with farmers, fencing, restoring water courses, plantings and weeding. This study presents the initial results of chemical, physical, microbiological and invertebrate monitoring at the wetland in response to the change in management of the wetland area. |