Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve Benthic Community Monitoring.

In 1999 a monitoring programme baseline was proposed to quantify the benthic communities at sites within and outside the reserve, and to provide a framework form which temporal patterns can be investigated. The focus was on habitat forming macro-algal species, important grazers and dominant encrusting species. The monitoring aimed to determine natural levels of temporal and spatial variation in reserve biota and habitats, to assess biodiversity within reserve and non-reserve areas and to detect changes that differ significantly from natural variation.

Inside and outside of the Marine Reserve: Proportion of 7 major habitat types at 9 sites; depth profile and habitat distributions of habitats; abundance and population size structure of dominant species.

Within and around the Te Whanganui a Hei Marine Reserve.

NZMG E2760303 N6481804, 1:20,000, Area

May 1999, May 2000, May-June 2006, May-June 2007, May-June 2009.

In 1999 and 2000: Five sites inside the Reserve, and four sites outside. Combination of line transects and depth-stratified 1m2 quadrats at each site. The size and abundance of habitat forming macro-algae and macro-invertebrates were compared between sites, depths and the two survey times. In 2006: 12 rocky reef sites inside, and 10 outside the marine reserve. At each site, one permanent 100m2 quadrat was established, inside of which 10 haphazardly placed 1m2 quadrats were sampled by counting and measuring all large brown macroalgae and invertebrates within. Three soft sediment sites within each of two sediment types (sand and mega-rippled sand) and two sites of special interest (n=8 sites in total) were sampled inside the marine reserve. Three soft sediment sites within each of two sediment types (sand and mega-rippled sand) were sampled outside the marine reserve. In 2007: Five sites inside the Reserve, and four sites outside. Combination of line transects and depth-stratified 1m2 quadrats at each site. The size and abundance of habitat forming macro-algae and macro-invertebrates were compared between sites and depths. In 2009: 10 rocky reef sites within the reserve, and 10 outside. Sites consistent with lobster and 2006 benthic sites. At each site, one permanent 100m2 quadrat was established, inside of which 10 haphazardly placed 1m2 quadrats were sampled by counting and measuring all large brown macroalgae and invertebrates within.

This study started 6 years after the Marine Reserve was gazetted. There was no pre-reserve monitoring. Direct comparisons between reserve and non-reserve sites are confounded by the gradient in physical conditions. Considerable variation amongst sites may bias the evidence for a significant marine reserve effect. Gaps in collection: Not reported Data quality: Not reported Attribute accuracy: Not reported Completeness: Not reported

report, photograph, spreadsheets. Digital Format: MS Word, MS Excel

Investigate temporal patterns in benthic community and population structure of the reserve. Document effects of removing human harvesting impacts from marine protected areas. Apply results to other similar Marine Reserves.

Freely available. Data held with consultant, and with Department of Conservation (Waikato Conservancy). Sensitivity/Confidentiality: None

Ongoing dependent on funding.

Related information: Fish monitoring – Willis reports Lobster monitoring - Kelly reports