<
https://theconversation.com/wetlands-are-crucial-food-baskets-for-nzs-native-eels-new-research-286126>
"Conservation projects often focus on protecting a threatened species from
predators and habitat destruction. But as our research shows, restoring food
webs can be as important to supporting ongoing recovery.
This may require ecological restoration of several sites that connect an
endangered species with its food.
Our recent study focused on Waituna Lagoon, a site in the South Island long
recognised under the Ramsar Convention for its outstanding biodiversity values
as an internationally important wetland area.
The research demonstrates the lagoon’s significance as an important food source
for longfin eels, which are classified as at risk, with declining populations.
The lagoon is formed by a barrier beach. When it overflows this barrier, either
naturally or through excavation, it remains open to the sea until big swells
block the opening again. This can take anywhere between a month and a year.
During the open state, īnanga – small migratory native fish which form the
majority of whitebait – run freely from the ocean and become extremely
abundant.
This supercharges the wider catchment’s food web, including eel populations
living upstream in surrounding creeks."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
