Ecology of Small Streams in the Marlborough Sounds

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A Pilot Study of the Ecology of Small Streams in the Marlborough Sounds

Cawthron Report No. 827 June 2003

The Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan (MSRMP) classifies streams or rivers entering Marlborough Sounds into three categories. Category 1 & 2 streams are recognized as having ecological and recreational values and/or represent a flood hazard.

By definition, however, there is little known about the ecological (and other) values of Category 3 streams. Many of the holiday homes in the Marlborough Sounds rely on these small Category 3 streams for their domestic water supply, but the effects of these water takes on the ecology of these systems is largely unknown.

This pilot study focused on Category 3 streams in Queen Charlotte Sound and aimed to characterise the ecological values of these streams and identify if water abstraction may threaten these values.