Understanding the spread of riparian restoration in the Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere catchment : a thesis [i.e. dissertation] submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science (Environmental Management) at Lincoln University
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Authors
Date
2011
Type
Thesis
Fields of Research
Abstract
Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is New Zealand’s fifth largest lake and has significant social,
environmental and cultural values. The lake catchment area has been highly modified mainly
for intensive farming. There is currently increasing concern for the ecological health and
integrity of the Lake Ellesmere and its catchment, due to the increase in land use for
residential development and intensive farming. It has been identified that riparian restoration
can be beneficial to restore values of the lake and its catchment.
Presently, there are a number of groups in the catchment conducting riparian restoration on
margins of lakes and rivers. Waihora Ellesmere Trust (WET) was identified as one such
group. This dissertation aims to understand the spread of WET’s riparian restoration and uses
the diffusion of innovations theory to achieve this aim. Diffusion of innovations theory can be
used to explore how the spread of a conservation practice happens in a social system. An
exploratory qualitative approach is used to achieve the objectives of this dissertation.
The study found that diffusion of riparian restoration is influenced by several factors. The site
selection was influenced by ownership, the location in catchment, ease of accessibility and
proximity to other restoration sites. The diffusion process was influenced by the connections
in an informal network observed as existing in the lower catchment. Adoption of riparian
restoration depended on subjective perceptions of individuals. It was found that a riparian
restoration’s relative advantage, compatibility with current practices, complexity and
observability influenced the rate of adoption of restoration. It was concluded that in this study,
cost was identified as the main barrier for restoration. It was evident that funding availability
has influenced the diffusion of WET’s riparian restoration work.
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