Download AEBR 253 Rocky reef impacts of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake: extended monitoring of nearshore habitats and communities to 3.5 years

The 2016 Kaikōura earthquake caused extensive uplift along the north-eastern coastline of the South Island of New Zealand. The disturbance resulted in damage to rocky reefs and widespread mortality of marine organisms, including important taonga and habitat-forming species such as pāua and bull kelp. This report describes the results of nearshore surveys at long-term monitoring sites between 2.5 and 3.5 years after the earthquake to assess the trajectories of recovery of rocky reef communities