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Classification Title

UNEP GRID New Zealand Classification of Wetlands.
Keywords
Type1.
Type 11.		 Physical parameters; habitats; biological communities; estuarine; marine; intertidal; subtidal; supratidal.
Abstract

This classification was developed by a multi agency working group as part of a New Zealand Sustainable Management Fund project: "Coordinated Monitoring of New Zealand Wetlands". The project sought to develop a nationally consistent methodology for mapping and monitoring New Zealand wetlands.

The classification addresses:

  • palustrine hydro systems
  • lacustrine hydro systems
  • riverine hydro systems
  • estuarine hydro systems
  • marine hydro systems.

The classification has been piloted and refined for palustrine and estuarine wetlands. The other parts of the classification have only been partly piloted.

A consistent classification methodology has been used for all hydro systems as follows:

1: hydrosystem (hydrological setting
IA: subsystem (flow regime)
II: wetland class (substrate, pH, chemistry)
IIA: wetland form (land form)
III: structural class (biotic structure)
IV: dominant cover (dominant species)
Geographical coverage New Zealand
Status/currency Complete (estuarine)/in progress - still being refined (marine)

 

Technical Evaluation

  
Scale of Use Variable depending on what level of classification is being used. E.g.; 1:250,000 for levels I & II; 1:50,000-10,000 for levels III-IV
GIS Compatibility If spatially referenced data.
Contributing databases and relationships N/a 
Available formats for users Unpublished report
Access constraints Freely available on Ministry for Environment's Sustainable Management Fund website.
Contact person. Jonet Ward 
Address
Phone
Fax
Email		 Lincoln Environmental Management and Design
Box 84
Lincoln University
Canterbury
64 3 325 2811
64 3 325 3845
References Ward, J.C.; Lambie, J.S. 1999. Monitoring Changes in Wetland Extent: Environmental Performance Indicators for Wetlands. Final Report -- Project Phase 1. Lincoln Environmental: Canterbury. 37p. [www.mfe.govt.nz/withyou/funding/smf/search.php then search on the organisation UNEP_GRID and select the document "5072 - final: Co-ordinated monitoring system for wetlands"]