Tranche 1: Project 1.5

The unsung heroes of our groundwater system – bacteria that remove contaminants and tiny invertebrates that keep the bacteria in balance – are helping researchers assess the health of freshwater ecosystems

Led by NIWA’s Dr Graham Fenwick and ESR’s Dr Louise Weaver, this ground-breaking research project sampled biofilm bacteria and invertebrates to evaluate measures of biodiversity and indicators of ecosystem health using traditional and genetic information.

DNA profiling, led by Ian Hogg at Waikato University, was used to identify, differentiate and characterise invertebrate species that have adapted to living underground without sunlight. ESR characterised bacterial communities using DNA, and trialling eDNA approaches to measuring total groundwater biodiversity.

The project team is also investigated changes in the biodiversity of groundwater bacteria and invertebrates across three regions – Nelson, Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay – seven catchments and varying land-use situations.

By measuring and monitoring biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, this project contributed to BioHeritage’s goal of empowering New Zealanders so they feel inspired to protect our environment.