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Classification Title

Coastal and marine ecological areas of New Zealand (King, Bailey and Clark (1985))
Keywords
Type1.
Type 11.		 New Zealand mainland, biogeographical regions/districts.
Abstract The classification was designed to aid the development of a system of representative protected natural areas. The classification has three levels:
  • Neritic territory
  • Ecological region
  • Ecological district

The district is the basic unit and its description depends on both biotic and abiotic components. Given the limited availability of ecological information in many areas much of the definition of boundaries was based on physical parameters. The description for each ecological district includes information on marine topography (bathymetry, sediments in the benthic zone, wave exposure and shore type); hydrology (temperature, salinity and current pattern); and biology.

Ecological districts were designed for:
  • the coastal area which extends from the sub littoral zone to merge where possible with terrestrial ecological regions and districts.
  • The shelf which extends from the coastal zone to the shelf break which is defined as the change in slope at approximately 130-200m depth. On two occasions districts extend beyond the shelf where the hydrology and proximity of the mainland shelf override the bathymetric criteria of the shelf break.

The continental slope, rise and offshore island platforms within the EEZ are excluded from the classification.
Geographical coverage New Zealand mainland
Status/currency Complete

 

Technical Evaluation

  
Scale of Use 4-5cm: 60 nautical miles
GIS Compatibility No
Contributing databases and relationships N/a
Available formats for users Printed book
Access constraints Freely available
Contact person. -
Address
Phone
Fax
Email		 -
References King, K.J.; Bailey, K.N.; Clark, M.R. 1985. Coastal and marine ecological areas of New Zealand-a preliminary classification for conservation purposes. Department of Lands and Survey Information Series No. 15/1985. 47p.