In-stream habitat unit additions: if you build it, will they stay?

Lincoln University Research
Support Fund 2022

Team

Dr Issie Barrett

The Problem 

River restoration is often focussed on riparian planting, hoping water quality improvements will improve overall ecosystem health. While these interventions are important, successful community recovery requires additional steps to improve aquatic habitat. In-stream restoration can be challenging to implement, particularly where restoration efforts are undertaken by not-for-profit and community organisations with limited funds, expertise and equipment. 

Research Goals 

We are trialling the addition of simple, in-stream habitat units as a practicable restoration tool and opportunity to investigate barriers to community recovery. This will also inform design of future structures which are simple to build from sustainable, readily-available materials, and therefore a feasible restoration tool for community groups. Initial results signify the importance of considering in-stream restoration within wider river restoration projects, and that the addition of habitat units is a promising first step to aiding community recovery.

Project Partners

Outputs

Barrett, I. 2022 In-stream habitat unit additions: if you build it, will they stay? NZMSS & NZFSS Joint Conference, November 2022