Subtidal Seagrass Mapping in Bluff Harbour

e3Scientific initiated and supported a Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) BSc Env Management thesis project remapping the subtidal seagrass (Zostera muelleri) beds in Bluff Harbour/Awarua. e3s staff provided technical assistance reviewing the proposed methods, lending marine survey equipment and helping secure funding to carry out the fieldwork. The work was also supported by Environment Southland and South Port NZ Ltd and was completed to an excellent standard by the students, Stephanie Shaw and Andrew Winchcombe. The survey found that in comparison to the subtidal seagrass areas last mapped in 2004, there are a number of areas which seem to have expanded past the boundaries of the 2004 map. Notably, the areas to the north and west directly beside Island Harbour have expanded significantly into areas which were previously mapped as bare substrate. Another notable area of expansion is the area west of Tiwai Wharf. The area of expansion was previously mapped as sparse foliose red algae cover. The seagrass here is fairly dense, with some areas free of algae and others with a fair amount of algal growth. This dataset is a great addition to the existing GIS layers for Bluff Harbour and hopefully represents good news for seagrass bed health in Bluff Harbour. We look forward to the final SIT thesis results and presentation later this year.

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