Hahei Marine Reserve

Impacts of sedimentation on rocky reef communities in the Hahei Marine Reserve

Marine reserves in New Zealand have full "no take" protection by law, but such protection will not matter if the reserve is subject to significant sedimentation which negatively impacts upon the reserve. The purpose of this research project is to investigate how terrestrially-derived sediment flowing into Buffalo Bay affects the Hahei Marine Reserve's biological community. PhD student Kate Steger is working at sites within the reserve to quantify if and how differing sediment regimes modify community composition and function. This work is jointly funded by the Department of Conservation and Victoria University of Wellington.