RESTORATION DESIGN AND MONITORING

CRAYFISH CREEK RESTORATION
Service Areas: Restoration Design and Monitoring, Ecosystem Health Assessment, Aquatic Sample Processing, Urban Ecology

Prior to the urbanisation of a rural area in Rangiora, EOS Ecology were commissioned by the Waimakariri District Council to assess the sensitivity of a spring-fed stream likely to be impacted by the future land use change.

Having discovered a locally unique and abundant population of freshwater crayfish (koura) in the headwaters, the team at EOS advised on a design to improve and increase the length of koura habitat. Our design focused on protecting the stream from future development through isolating it from the stormwater network. The project involved detailed surveys to establish the dynamics of the crayfish population, with the resulting data to be used as a baseline for future monitoring.

MCCORMACKS BAY HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Service Areas: Restoration Design and Monitoring, Ecosystem Health Assessment, Aquatic Sample Processing, Urban Ecology

With plans in place to modify the three culverts that drain McCormacks Bay, there are hopes that these modifications may restore a more natural tidal cycle to the Bay and thereby reduce excessive sea lettuce growth. Commissioned by the Christchurch City Council, EOS Ecology has designed a monitoring programme for the Bay that will examine any changes in the benthic fauna, sediment, and macroalgae as a result of changes to the culverts and tidal flushing cycles.

Building on previous work the EOS team has undertaken in the Bay, the findings from this programme will form the ‘before’ data against which to monitor changes that may occur as a result of the improvements to the culverts. The EOS team carried out the field survey in June 2010 and upon completion of the laboratory work will produce a report on this baseline data for the Council and community.

NO. 2 DRAIN RESTORATION
Service Areas: Restoration Design and Monitoring, Ecosystem Health Assessment, Aquatic Sample Processing, Resource Consent Monitoring

EOS Ecology was engaged to investigate the restoration potential of a boxed drain running through one of Christchurch’s northern suburbs.

Aware of an isolated population of bluegill bullies rarely found in Christchurch, scientists at EOS worked closely with the client’s landscape architects and engineers to design a channel that would enhance the bluegill’s habitat. Balancing these habitat requirements with the need to provide for inline stormwater treatment, future urbanisation in the upper catchment, and the riparian vegetation restrictions in the adjacent golf course were also key considerations for the design. The EOS team are currently involved in post restoration surveys to determine the success of this restoration; early indications are promising.