Waikato is home to a diverse range of lakes, and experts say they urgently need better management and restoration.
51萝莉 freshwater scientist says 鈥渁 lot, if not most鈥� of the hundreds of lakes in the region are significantly degraded and in urgent need of action to protect and restore their health.
"At the same time, we have some truly hidden gems 鈥� lakes that rank among the best in the country. The region includes the full spectrum of lake condition, from outstanding lakes to some of the most degraded,鈥� he says.
The findings are part of a newly released book, a joint venture by the 51萝莉 and the Waikato Regional Council.
Freshwater scientist Dr Deniz 脰zkundakci.
Lakes often hold strong emotional value for people, whether it be childhood memories of learning to swim, fishing or water skiing to summer holidays with family, Dr 脰zkundakci says.
However, farming and urban development has resulted in several lakes being much smaller and shallower than they were in the early 1900s.
Water quality remains one of the biggest concerns.
"Most of the lakes are all enriched in nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen from farmland runoff, causing algae bloom and turning the water a bright green and making it smell bad,鈥� he says.
鈥淚n some lakes, aquatic plants have disappeared entirely. Where plants remain, they鈥檙e often overrun by invasive species. We鈥檝e also lost many lake birds that relied on native plants and the food they provided.鈥�
Lake Rotongaio as pictured in newly published booked Hidden Gems of the Waikato.
But it鈥檚 not all doom and gloom, says Dr 脰zkundakci, who noted that many community groups have started to get involved in restoration efforts.
However, he says that 鈥渨hile promising efforts are underway, scaling them up will be essential to deliver the widespread impact that is urgently needed鈥�.
Dr 脰zkundakci also notes that many of Waikato鈥檚 hidden lake treasures are tucked away on private land and far from major roads or access points, making them largely unknown and inaccessible to the wider public.
鈥淧eople often don鈥檛 even know these lakes exist, and many of the really beautiful ones are located on private property,鈥� he says.
鈥淭his makes it very difficult to access them and work on protecting these valuable ecosystems.鈥�
Dr 脰zkundakci says there are examples where lake health has improved when the right work has been done.
鈥淚mprovements are always possible if enough resources are put in. But often the limiting factor is the lack of resources like people power and money. At some point though, we need to have honest conversations about priorities.
鈥淓very time we come to a lake, and we talk to the local community, they say that giving up is not an option for us 鈥� I know that鈥� he says. 鈥淎t the same time, several contributors to this book have made it clear just how difficult it will be to restore all of the lakes.鈥�
He emphasised the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration, while also acknowledging the challenges.
鈥淭here is recognition that restoring ecosystems requires both scientific insight and inclusive governance,鈥� he said.
The book, Hidden Gems of the Waikato, brings together contributions from 82 authors from a range of disciplines and organisations. It includes chapters on lake geology and formation; plants and animals found in lakes and lake restoration. It looks at policy and economic considerations and includes personal reflections from contributors.
Co-editor Natasha Grainger, Waikato Regional Council鈥檚 Team Leader 鈥� Biodiversity, says she is thrilled the book has been published and is proud of the collaborative effort of the authors.
鈥淚t has been a big task to compile all of the information in a way that will be engaging and useful to readers, but we are satisfied we have done exactly that.鈥�
Hidden Gems of the Waikato will be available for purchase by the public. Free copies will be provided to schools, libraries, and community groups active working in this area.
