One of the jobs of the Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) is monitoring the ecological effects of agriculture and industry around the region. Where for example, Fonterra discharges waste near a shoreline, the nearby reefs are monitored for their health. At Manihi Road south of Cape Egmont, there is an extensive reef system that is not affected by industry. TRC looks at this reef, and compares any changes with areas where there are industry effects. I joined Kate, Erin and Scott as they checked it out. In the photo you can see Erin with a half metre square. She identifies all the plants and animals in this square, and they are recorded and compared over time. I was amazed at just how many species are to be found. A bare rock when turned over may have more than a dozen species living underneath. We are lucky to have people like these checking up on the health of our environment.
No comments:
Post a Comment