Freshwater fauna in the Styx (Puharakeknui) )River: iconic species under threat
The Styx River is the third and often forgotten urban river of Christchurch. The river has several iconic and unique freshwater animals not found in other Christchurch urban rivers. The Styx Living Laboratory Trust (SLLT) has been working for over 20yrs to champion the Styx Catchment and the health of the river. Unfortunately, the river is under increasing threat from urban development, intensification of housing, and roof and road stormwater contaminants and these iconic species are struggling for survival.
Jon Harding has a DSc & PhD with over 30yrs experience in freshwater research and has worked on human impacts on the ecology of rivers, streams and lakes in NZ, USA, Singapore, Tonga and Nigeria. Currently he is working with the SLLT under its Science Portfolio.
Progress on restoring native forest and riparian ecosystems in the Pūharakekenui-Styx River Catchment in the context of a city-wide optimum bush patch network, and the important roles of community groups like the Styx Living Laboratory Trust.
Dr Antony Shadbolt is the Team Leader of the Christchurch City Council’s Parks Biodiversity Team and has led forest restoration projects across the city, particularly in the Pūharakekenui-Styx River catchment. In his 37+ years at Council, he has been gardener, spent almost ten years running the Council's tree nursery, ten years as a landscape architect and currently is an ecologist. He has been actively involved with the Styx Living Laboratory Trust for more than 23 years as a member of the Board of Management and as the Trust’s restoration technical advisor and has also been a Trustee of Trees for Canterbury for around the same length of time. His PhD in Forestry Science the University of Canterbury investigated the responses of small mammals to habitat fragmentation in highly modified plantation landscapes in Sarawak, Borneo.
Supper and a chat afterwards.