Ecological baseline informs the future

Surveying macroinvertebrate and fish communities as well as the in-stream and riparian habitat conditions at sites destined for rehabilitation works in Christchurch.

Before embarking on post-earthquake rehabilitation of sites in Christchurch’s Avon River Precinct, it was important to establish a baseline of ecological information for later comparison.

Tanya Blakely, one of Boffa Miskell ecologists, surveyed the macroinvertebrate and fish communities as well as the in-stream and riparian habitat conditions at sites destined for rehabilitation works. Information was also gathered at comparative ‘control’ sites upstream of the precinct and beyond the works.

The work was commissioned by the Christchurch Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), in conjunction with other work being done for Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury. The data will be used for comparison with further survey data gathered after the works are complete to gauge the extent of any improvement in ecological conditions.