Climate resilience assessment of Northland’s freshwater ecosystems

This Envirolink report assesses how climate change is likely to affect Northland’s freshwater ecosystems and values, and how those effects may interact with existing pressures such as land use, sedimentation and water abstraction. This report supports Northland Regional Council in addressing priority actions in the Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy towards improved understanding of climate change impacts on biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems and developing monitoring and response programmes.

Key findings

• Climate change is likely to increase pressure on Northland’s freshwater ecosystems by worsening existing issues such as sedimentation, habitat degradation and water scarcity.
• Lakes (particularly dune lakes), wetlands and lowland rivers are identified as the freshwater systems most vulnerable to climate change.
• Native fish, freshwater invertebrates and threatened taonga species face increasing risks from warming temperatures, reduced flows, sedimentation and habitat loss.
• Sediment is identified as a major climate-driven pressure, with increases in erosion and sediment loads expected to affect water quality and freshwater habitats.
• The report warns that without substantial investment in climate adaptation, management gains are likely to be outweighed by climate pressures by end-of-century.
• Priority actions include reducing sediment inputs, protecting and restoring wetlands and dune lakes, improving understanding of water availability, and maintaining long-term freshwater monitoring programmes.
• The report highlights the importance of partnering with iwi and hapū and incorporating mātauranga Māori indicators of freshwater change, resilience and wellbeing.