Urban planning provides potential for lake restoration through catchment re-vegetation

Encroachment of urban areas into forest and farmland is typically considered to have detrimental effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Most restoration strategies for lakes affected by urban development represent expensive short-term fixes requiring on-going management, with long-term resto...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urban forestry & urban greening 2012, Vol.11 (1), p.95-99
Main Author: Duggan, Ian C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Authority
Biological and medical sciences
Budget, Government
Catchments
Ecosystems
Environmentalism
Forestry
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Lakes
Management
New Zealand
Nutrients
Oligotrophication
Parks
Phosphorus reduction
Planning
Reduction
Reforestation
Restoration
Urban areas
Urban conditions
Urban development
Urban sprawl
Water quality
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Summary:Encroachment of urban areas into forest and farmland is typically considered to have detrimental effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Most restoration strategies for lakes affected by urban development represent expensive short-term fixes requiring on-going management, with long-term restoration requiring external nutrient inputs (typically the major impact of urban development) to be significantly reduced. This study details, using a simple nutrient budget, the effects of the conversion of farmland to native forest in a lake catchment (Waiwhakareke/Horseshoe Lake in the Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park (WHNP), New Zealand) during urban encroachment. I show how far-sighted planning employed by management authorities can lead to urban growth being beneficial to aquatic systems. Even using this method, however, managers should not expect lakes to become immediately available as amenities. Although reduction in external nutrient loads brought about by the reforestation of lake catchments in urban areas will ultimately lead to phosphorus reduction and concomitant water quality improvements, such responses may take a number of years due a continued release of nutrients from bottom sediments if they are initially within rural catchments. Urban management authorities therefore need to possess a long-term outlook and commitment to such projects. Overall, the WHNP project acts as a model for future urban development and spread of cities, providing opportunities for the long-term restoration and conservation of lakes.
ISSN:1618-8667
1610-8167
DOI:10.1016/j.ufug.2011.09.006