Here is some drone footage taken by Craig Allen of Freshwater Environmental of two of the recently constructed wetlands in the Motueka catchment supported by MCC and Tasman District Council. Craig oversaw the design and construction of these and the MCC thanks him for his excellent input.
One wetland is up the Baton Valley, and one is on the West Bank Road not far from Alexandra Bluff Bridge.
These have filled up with water with the wetter weather recently and are functioning as hoped for. They will gradually be planted up and naturally regenerate over time.
Why wetlands?
Wetlands have the following environmental benefits:
Water quality
Wetlands improve water quality. As water moves into a wetland, the flow rate decreases, allowing particles to settle out. The many plants act as filters, absorbing nutrients such as nitrates and phospates, as well as organic material, reducing the concentration of bacteria such as E.coli. It also adds oxygen to the water. Growing plants play a cleansing role that protects the downstream environments.
Flood control
Wetlands can also reduce the impacts of flooding, as they can absorb heavy rain and release water gradually. Downstream water flows and ground water levels are also maintained during periods of low rainfall. Wetlands help stabilise shorelines and riverbanks.
Wildlife habitat
Many wetland plants have specific environmental needs and are extremely vulnerable to change. Some of our endangered plant species depend totally on wetlands.
Wetlands support great concentrations of bird life and far more species than a similar forest area. The survival of threatened species such as the Australasian bittern//matuku-hūrepo, brown teal, fernbird, marsh crake and white heron relies on remnant wetlands.
Native fish need wetlands too. Eight of New Zealand’s 27 species including inanga, short-finned eels, kōkopu and bullies are found in wetlands, while the whitebait fishery depends on the spawning habitat offered by freshwater wetlands. The decline in native fish populations is directly related to massive reductions in freshwater habitat.
Source – https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/habitats/wetlands/why-wetlands-are-important/
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dana@motuekacatchment.org.nzDisclaimer
This topic features real world stories about the efforts of catchment groups, agencies and individuals who are who working to improve the health of our waterways. This story has been shared by the author through the Healthy Waterways register. For questions about about this story, please get in touch with the author. If you have concerns about the story content, please get in touch: admin@lawa.org.nz
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