The application of fluvial geomorphology within State of the Environment reporting in New Zealand

The effective, adaptive management of New Zealand's river systems requires the holistic assessment of river condition in order to detect responses to human impacts and management practices. Geomorphology forms an essential component of holistic condition assessments, as it provides a physical t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of hydrology, New Zealand New Zealand, 2011, Vol.50 (1), p.257-272
Main Authors: McFarlane, Kiely, Brierley, Gary J., Coleman, Stephen E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assessments
Control equipment
Environmental aspects
Environmental assessment
Environmental impact statements
Environmental policy
Fluvial geomorphology
Freshwater
Freshwater ecosystems
Geomorphology
Habitat conservation
Lotic systems
Management
Regional
Reporting
River management/case studies
Riverine habitats
Rivers
Sediment transport
Sediments
Streams
Watershed management
Watersheds
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Summary:The effective, adaptive management of New Zealand's river systems requires the holistic assessment of river condition in order to detect responses to human impacts and management practices. Geomorphology forms an essential component of holistic condition assessments, as it provides a physical template for integrating ecosystem structure, function and change. This study appraises the use of geomorphic principles within the river condition assessment protocols of the 12 regional councils and five unitary authorities of New Zealand. At present, regional State of Environment reporting focuses on monitoring changes in water quality and biological indicators, with some assessment of physical habitat. Regional condition protocols within this framework seldom incorporate assessments of process-form associations, inter-scale controls or temporal variability, which are needed to identify the causes of and controls on long-term changes in condition. This study demonstrates that there is significant potential to improve the incorporation of geomorphic analysis within New Zealand protocols and practice for assessment of river condition. Recommendations are made for the incorporation of geomorphic principles into holistic, emergent condition assessments.
ISSN:0022-1708
2463-3933