eager to take up any opportunity to get a first-hand look at some of the work that’s going on. At the beginning of February, for example, it was my pleasure to join 30 or so others marking World Wetlands Day by joining a field trip to look at what’s been achieved on the Purangi bush block of David and Marie Russell. It’s a very special property, recognised as a Key Native Ecosystem by the Council, and containing a wetland that’s classed as regionally
activity in many ways other than water borne pathogens such as strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The type of degradation varies widely and wildly, depending on how people use land and how water drains to the river. In places, water is contaminated with sediment or nutrients. In others, there’s chemical toxins. In still others, the water flow is altered, channel straightened and river routes modified. Some of these things affect human safety. All of them affect the habitat of hundreds
be burned (such as trimmings, pruning or fellings cut from active growth) should as a general guide be allowed to dry to brown appearance prior to burning. Except for tree stumps or crop stubble, the place of combustion should be at least 50 metres from any road other than a highway, and 100 metres from any highway or dwellinghouse on a neighbouring property or national park boundary. Due regard should be given to direction and strength of wind, and quantity and
hornwort will eventually become dominant, out-competing E. densa and L. major. While this is not expected to cause significant impacts on the ecology of Lake Rotorangi or on the hydroelectric scheme, there is now greater potential for it to spread to nearby lakes, where such impacts could be much more severe e.g. Lake Rotokare. The next macrophyte survey of Lake Rotorangi is due to be performed in the 2017-2018 period. Lake condition, in terms of lake productivity, continued to be within the
invasive, and is expected to eventually become dominant, out-competing E. densa and L. major. While this is not expected to cause significant impacts on the ecology of Lake Rotorangi or on the hydroelectric scheme, there is now greater potential for it to spread to nearby lakes, where such impacts could be much more severe e.g. Lake Rotokare. This may be the subject of further investigation by the Taranaki Regional Council. The next macrophyte survey of Lake Rotorangi is due to be performed in the
Soil description and interpretation can be gained from a number of sources (appropriate soil maps and associated reports) which provide details about the properties of a soil, its potential uses and productive potential. Slope Slope angles are measured, or estimated visually in the field and/or from aerial photographs. The dominant slope is recorded for each map unit as one of seven groups, each of which have different management characteristics. Erosion Erosion severity and type is assessed
ideas further (education@trc.govt.nz). Either I can provide advice to help you run your own BioBlitz or I can organise and run a BioBlitz for your class with your support. Have fun! Nāku noa nā, Dr Emily Roberts Tēnā koutou katoa Over the last two terms, schools in Taranaki have been BioBlitzing up a storm! A BioBlitz is a concentrated effort to discover and record as many living things as possible within a set location over a limited time period. It
moment, making it an ideal location to study whio food without disturbing the ducks. We found a diverse range of juicy bugs including some supersized stonefly, magnificent mayfly and chunky dobsonfly larvae. We also calculated macroinvertebrate community index (MCI) scores of over 130, indicating excellent water quality, as you’d expect for pristine rainforest streams. To book a trip to Pukeiti Rainforest or any other field trips and lessons, email me on
consenting process is becoming more streamlined with ongong system improvements being made to manage consenting risks and to reduce costs (e.g., on-line resource consent applications). Consent processing guidelines are also being reviewed. There have been no objections or appeals against consent decisions. The 100% consent processing timeframe compliance has been maintained, meaning activities are not being delayed. OUTPUTS/KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATIONS Performance measure Actual
costs (e.g., on-line resource consent applications). Consent processing guidelines are also being reviewed. There have been no objections or appeals against consent decisions. The 100% consent processing timeframe compliance has been maintained, meaning activities are not being delayed. OUTPUTS/KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATIONS Performance measure Actual performance Provide appropriate and timely information in response to 100% of requests for assistance in implementing Resource