The ecological integrity of New Zealand’s marine ecosystems: Marine protected areas

Published:

December 2011

Ecological integrity measures the health of an ecosystem by considering how native, pristine, diverse and resilient it is. This report sets out a strategy to assess trends in the ecological integrity of New Zealand’s marine ecosystems.

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A factsheet summarising the key aspects of this research:

Coastal ecosystem monitoring - the big picture (PDF, 13,050K)

Report:

A strategy to assess trends in the ecological integrity of New Zealand’s marine ecosystems (PDF, 891K)

Branded wrasse in a kelp forest

Summary

Ecological integrity is a concept underlying the development of a cost-effective monitoring programme that can be applied to all of New Zealand’s marine habitats. The concept is explored in regards to the work already done by DOC and internationally.

Potential monitoring variables are identified. Monitoring tools are then considered, which would link into a context that could be used to define the integrity status of an ecosystem.

Publication information

Thrush, S., Hewitt, J., Lundquist, C., Townsend, M., and Lohrer, A. 2011. A strategy to assess trends in the ecological integrity of New Zealand’s marine ecosystems. Report prepared by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research for the New Zealand Department of Conservation. 58p.