Baseline assessment of the MacKenzie Peat Wetland using drone surveying and pest monitoring tools
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Other Title
Authors
Fieldes, Walter
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Bachelor of Environmental Management
Grantor
Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)
Date
2020
Supervisors
Marapara, Tapuwa
Type
Undergraduate Research Report
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
MacKenzie Wetlands (Canterbury, N.Z.)
Canterbury (N.Z.)
New Zealand
wetlands
pest control
drones
environmental monitoring
Canterbury (N.Z.)
New Zealand
wetlands
pest control
drones
environmental monitoring
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Fieldes, W. (2020). Baseline assessment of the MacKenzie Peat Wetland using drone surveying and pest monitoring tools. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Environmental Management). Southern Institute of Technology (SIT). https://hdl.handle.net/10652/5641
Abstract
AIM
The aim was to measure and provide baseline data of mammalian pest abundance across different vegetation zones and land uses within the Makenzie Wetland. Different monitoring methods were used and compared to evaluate the accuracy of the techniques. The results will be used to guide further research and fieldwork within the MacKenzie Wetland.
ABSTRACT
Wetlands provide many important ecosystem services such as, maintaining water quality, flood protection, and habitats for both flora and fauna. It is estimated that less than 10% of NZ’s wetlands remain in a natural state with Southland holding nearly 20% of this. Despite the threatened status more than 176 hectares are lost in the region every year. The MacKenzie Wetland is a 54-hectare, raised dome mire wetland located near Limehills, just out of Winton. The area was historically farmed but is now a protected QEII Covenant restoration project and is one of the last remaining wetlands in the area. The aim of the project was to create an updated aerial image of the area using a drone and to measure and provide baseline data of mammalian pest abundance within the MacKenzie wetland.
Monitoring pest populations helps show pest abundance and potential effects on the restoration of native vegetation and on the fauna that inhabit the area. Drones are slowly becoming more accessible and can produce high-resolution imaging that is valuable for monitoring and decision making. Two tracking tunnel surveys and a 7 night chewcard survey were carried out to compare their capabilities as survey tools and to provide Relative Abundance Indices for each identified species. Drone survey images were uploaded into software which produced a high-resolution orthophoto map of the wetlands in which native and pest plants were able to be identified.
Results from all monitoring events were uploaded to the MacKenzie Wetlands project on the Trap.nz website which is an information management system that converted results into heat maps showing areas where pest species are present. Mice were the main species detected with all methods, while cats were only detected using tunnels with fresh rabbit meat over 3 nights. Delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown meant that monitoring took place over winter with fewer tunnels than recommended which could have influenced the results but overall, the aims of the project were met and provide a base for future monitoring projects on the wetland
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Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International