National Estuary Dataset

Cawthron Institute (Cawthron) has recently
compiled a national dataset containing ecological estuary monitoring data (2001
to 2016) largely acquired from councils and unitary authorities (councils)
around New Zealand. The dataset comprises fine-scale intertidal benthic
ecological data collected using the Estuary Monitoring Protocol (EMP: Robertson
et al. 2002), or similar, survey methodologies. This is in the form of
macrofaunal abundance data and corresponding physico-chemical sediment data, as
well as associated metadata. The dataset was compiled to facilitate
national-scale research within the MBIE-funded Oranga Taiao, Oranga Tangata
(OTOT) programme, led by Murray Patterson from Massey University. For further details on the dataset please refer to the
National Estuary Dataset User Manual, which is included as a reference in the FigShare
data repository. Use of the dataset is entirely at the risk of the
recipient and we accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be
present.

Subsets of this dataset have been used to 1) summarise benthic ecological health indicators from New Zealand estuaries, 2) test the suitability of nine biotic indices for assessing the health of New Zealand estuaries, and 3) develop a standardised indicator of the health of New Zealand estuaries in response to sedimentation and metal loading. These paper are also included as references in the FigShare Data Repository.