Research

Current Projects

Restoration of Indigenous Biodiversity on Coastal Backdunes , 2011-2014
The Dunes Trust backdune restoration project aims to:

• review existing information about backdunes,
• work with local agencies and CoastCare groups to set up community based monitoring systems for restoration activities and a range of demonstration areas of restored species
• provide methods for evaluating backdune restoration and
• communicate this information with a wide range of audiences.

Read updates in our project newsletters: Backdune Restoration Partners Newsletter 1, July-August 2011 , Newsletter 2, September-October 2011 and Newsletter 3 - November-December, 2012. We thank the following partner organisations for their funding and ongoing involvement in this three year project.

Nga Tauru - Waitotara

Scoping Report on Developing a Coastal Dune Ecosystems Database, November 2011 – May 2012
We are currently undertaking a scoping project to investigate the end-user needs, design and development options for a coastal dune ecosystems database. We will be running a survey, interviews, and small workshops for this project and seek the involvement of any individual or organisation dealing with coastal dune ecosystems – Coastcare members, agency staff, students etc. A range of ways to be involved will be on this site over the next few months or you can contact info@dunestrust.org.nz directly for more information. This project is funded by the Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS) Programme through the Department of Conservation.

Past Projects

• Dunes Trust Project Updates for the Website – June 2010. Download Report [551 Kb PDF]
• Ministry for the Environment - Sustainable Management Fund
  Project Brief: Empowering coastal communities to adapt to climate change. Download Report [12 Kb PDF]
• Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry - Sustainable Farming Fund
  Project Brief: Adapting productive coastal landuses to Climate Change. Download Report [12 Kb PDF]
• Development of reliable techniques for raising low-cost spinifex seedlings for dune revegetation programmes - seed collection, handling and germination techniques as well as vegetative propagation.
• Spinifex phenology - flowering and seeding studies
• Fertiliser requirements of existing spinifex and pingao cover on coastal foredunes, Bay of Plenty
• Restoration of exposed sites - establishment of mixtures of spinifex and marram grass on foredunes at Santoft, Rangitikei
• Restoration of exposed sites - establishment of natural sand-binding plants on mechanically-shaped dunes in Oakura, Taranaki
• Restoration of exposed sites - establishment of spinifex and pingao on unstable dunes at Te Henga/Bethells Beach, Auckland
• Establishment of indigenous plant communities on foredunes and backdunes at South Brighton, Christchurch
• Restoration of indigenous plant communities on semi-stable and stable sand dunes
• Propagation and establishment of Euphorbia glauca (shore spurge)
• Review of rabbit and hare control methods on sand dunes

Research Reports

• Bergin, D.O., 2008. Performance of Indigenous Species Three Years After Planting on a Backdune, Ohiwa Spit, Eastern Bay of Plenty. Environmental Restoration Ltd Contract Report ERL08/02, 24pp. Download Report [2.3 Mb PDF]
• Bergin, D.O., 2008. Establishment of the Indigenous Sand Binder Spinifex /(Spinifex Sericeus)/ Along the Sand Dunes of Christchurch. Environmental Restoration Ltd Contract Report ERL08/03, 27pp. Download Report [2.1 Mb pdf]
• Performance of indigenous sand-binders planted on a reshaped foredune at Oakura Beach, New Plymouth, David Bergin, Elizabeth Miller, Ensis, Rotorua; John Leslie, Paul Jamieson, New Plymouth District Council. Download Report [2.4 Kb PDF]