Simplifying food webs for applied freshwater restoration

Join Freshwater Ecologist Dr Simon Stewart for a fascinating talk on how simplifying food webs can benefit applied freshwater restoration.

Food webs describe the connections between all organisms within an ecosystem. While traditionally considered part of the theoretical end of the ecology spectrum, applying food web science to real-world environmental management is often hindered by perceptions of complexity — the idea that “it’s too complicated.”

However, as highlighted by a recent High Court decision on crayfish quotas in northern New Zealand, this argument cannot be used to justify management inaction. Instead of attempting to map every trophic interaction within a diverse food web, identifying “the most important bits” can have extremely meaningful contributions to environmental management.

Focusing on two recent research projects, he will demonstrate of how we can peel back the complexity of food webs and use that knowledge for better freshwater management. He will give examples outlining how an understanding of food web dynamics can be used to advance a rewilding approach to restoration and steps we need to take to apply this to longfin eel conservation.

There are options to attend this event in person in Nelson and/or receive an email with the recording of the presentation (not a live-stream) later in the week. Please make sure you register for the correct ticket.  

Presenter Bio

Dr Simon Stewart (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa) is a freshwater water ecologist at the Cawthron Institute. Growing up in Rotorua was an important catalyst in him pursuing freshwater science. After a BSc, he completed a MSc at the University of Canterbury investigating the sources and fate of nitrate in Banks Peninsula streams using stable isotopes. Following this, Simon worked for two years as a research technician at the Nation Isotope Centre at GNS Science in Petone refining techniques for isotope analyses for nitrate and ammonium. He then studied a PhD at the University of Waikato examining responses of the rainbow trout fishery to the recently implemented water quality management actions.

Now he works on a broad range of freshwater projects, often using stable isotope techniques in conjunction with a range of methods to address a range of challenges pertaining to lake management and fisher management. These projects include: a Marsden Fast start examining the role of īnanga as a marine subsidy in supporting longfin eel growth; research to understand impacts of smelt on conservation of lake-locked kōaro populations as part of the Fish Futures programme; new tools for developing a more holistic understanding of lake health as part of the Our Lakes Our Future programme.

Event format

Presentation from 5.30pm followed by short Q&A session. The event will formally conclude at 6.30pm but guests are invited to remain for informal networking over tea/coffee afterwards if they wish. 

Disclaimer: All registered participants will be added to the Friends of Cawthron email list. You can unsubscribe from these emails at any time.