The state of Kaikoura's environment 1998: Developing indicators for monitoring environmental change

Abstract

This report makes the second contribution to a long term research programme, building upon and refining the contribution made by the 1997 report concerned with monitoring the State of Kaikoura's Environment. As such, this report can not comment on the State of Kaikoura's Environment, i.e., whether it is 'good' or 'bad', or on the implications of any change. This report concludes that it is important to continue consistent regular monitoring before any definite trends can be established. To aid in this continued monitoring, the following general recommendations are made: • Ensure that the previous year's report has been read and recommendations taken into account. • Follow the methods for the data collection exercises as closely as possible to the 1998 report. • Encourage students to partake in data collection exercises outside of their disciplines to provide the opportunity to learn new skills. • Use supplementary data to reinforce findings and conclusions, e.g. , primary and secondary sources from agency and university research. • Clearly determine the indicator(s) for each data collection exercise. • The indicators that should be carried out yearly include: Car counts; Westend Businesses; Photograph Points; Rubbish Collection; Cray Pot Counts; Interviews; and Surveys. The data collection exercises that may be alternated include: Bird Counts; Seals; Coastal Ecological Transect with the Forest Transect and Stream Study. • Comparatively analyse 1997, 1998 and 1999 results to start to evaluate trends over time It is hoped that these recommendations will allow future students to further refine and improve upon the methods and indicators discussed, so that the State of Kaikoura's Environment can continue to be assessed in an integrated and comprehensive manner.