The physical and ecological impacts of mangrove expansion and mangrove removal: Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand Thesis
- Author
- Stokes, D.J.
- Year
- 2010
- Journal / Source
- unpublished PhD
- Publisher / Organisation
- University of Waikato
- Pages
- 213
- Species
- Avicennia marina subsp. australasica, manawa, mangrove, Avicennia marina, Avicennia marina var. resinifera, Avicennia resinifera
- Keywords
- mangrove, ecological impact, Tauranga Harbour, Welcome Bay, Waikareao Estuary, Waikaraka Estuary, intertidal sandflats
- Summary
- The mangrove Avicennia marina var. australasica is rapidly colonising intertidal sandflats within a number of estuaries of the North Island of New Zealand. Many local residents perceive this change to be detrimental to the ecology and aesthetics of their estuaries, yet little empirical data is available to support these perceptions. Coastal managers are presently developing management strategies associated with either the maintenance or the removal of mangrove habitat with limited information available to predict the impacts of either course of action. This study was developed to investigate the physiognomic characteristics of the mangrove stands, and the physical and ecological impacts of their expansion within three embayments of Tauranga Habour: Welcome Bay, Waikareao Estuary and Waikaraka Estuary. Removal of mangrove vegetation within Waikaraka Estuary provided an ideal site to assess the physical changes that occur in response to this activity.