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Abstract: Average sedimentation since was 6.8 mm/year, more than three-times greater than the national guideline value of 2 mm/year. Sediment was muddy with relatively low oxygenation; however, total organic carbon, nutrients, and trace metal contaminants were low. Results suggest a degradation in habitat conditions related to elevated mud, placing Whareama among the most degraded of the estuaries regularly monitored in the Wellington Region. Long-term monitoring will help elucidate whether a trend of ongoing degradation attributable to catchment modification exists.

Reference: Forrest BM, Stevens LM, Roberts KL. 2023. Fine Scale Intertidal Monitoring of Whareama Estuary – March 2022 survey. Salt Ecology Report 098 prepared for Greater Wellington. 33p.

Author/s: Barrie Forrest, Leigh Stevens, Keryn Roberts. Salt Ecology.