Document library

This report summarises the results of the 2008 fine scale
monitoring for Castelpoint Beach, a 4.5km long, exposed,
and gradually sloping beach (intermediate - dissipative
type) on the Wairarapa Coast. It is a key beach in Greater
Wellington Regional Council's (GWRC) proposed long-term
coastal monitoring programme, and uses sediment health
as a primary indicator of beach condition.

The report describes the following work:
-Fine scale monitoring of sediment grain size and sediment
oxygenation
-Fine scale monitoring of sediment dwelling plants and
animals

In overview, the results for a range of physical and biological
indicators of beach condition show that the dominant
intertidal habitat (i.e unvegetated sand) at Castlepoint beach
was generally in good condition. The beach sediments
consisted of well-oxygenated sands, with a typical exposed
beach benthic invertebrate community, dominated by
crustaceans (isopods and amphipods), and beetles. Such
conditions indicate a nutrient-poor and therefore oligotrophic
situation, which is typical of exposed New Zealand
beaches.