Mapping 40,000 hectares to identify where biodiversity efforts matter most.
The work, in short
- Client: Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme
- Area: 24,000ha across ~200 farms
- Timeframe: <2 months
- Focus: Biodiversity stocktake
- Outcome: Prioritised sites of interest for investment and restoration
Overview
Terra Centric was engaged by the Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme to assess indigenous biodiversity across a 40,000-hectare area that supplies around 200 farmer-shareholders.
The objective was to understand what ecological values remained within the landscape and to help establish a pathway towards protecting and enhancing indigenous biodiversity across the scheme.
The Challenge
Across a large, highly productive scheme, there was limited visibility of:
- Where existing ecological habitats remained
- Which areas held the most value
- And where restoration efforts should be prioritised
Without this clarity, any investment in biodiversity risked being unfocused, inefficient or difficult to justify.
Adding to this was the scale and timeframe of the project - assessing 24,000 hectares in under two months.
But perhaps the most key challenge was presenting the information in a way that was clear and usable for the client, while ensuring it could easily be revisited and built on.
Why This Matters
Understanding indigenous biodiversity at scale was critical to:
- Guiding future environmental investment
- Supporting farmer engagement across the scheme
- Enabling conversations with funding providers
Ensuring restoration efforts were directed where they would deliver the most meaningful outcomes
The Approach
Terra Centric conducted a full biodiversity “stocktake” across the scheme, using a combination of aerial mapping and ecological assessment.
This involved:
- Mapping natural waterways using the Canterbury Land & Water Regional Plan
- “Interrogating” each waterway by examining the entire length of each corridor using aerial imagery
- Identifying and recording sites of ecological interest
- Assigning a value score to each site, based on current condition and restoration potential
Given the scale of the project, a key focus was ensuring the information remained practical and usable. To achieve this, Terra Centric developed a digital mapping platform that:
- Grouped sites of interest into clusters, which were recorded using GPS location
- Highlighted which areas were located on farmer-shareholder land
- Allowed for easy information sharing and future referencing
The Outcome
The biodiversity stocktake provided the Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme with:
- A clear picture of existing ecological value in the scheme
- A prioritised view of where biodiversity efforts should be focused
- An accessible dataset to inform ongoing decision-making
Importantly, the work created a foundation for action, shifting biodiversity from a broad concept to something tangible.
This work has since enabled further studies, engagement with funding providers and more efficient investment.
Key Takeaways
- Large-scale biodiversity can be made practical with the right tools and approach
- Aerial mapping can enable better, more confident decision-making
- A strong foundation of data creates momentum for future projects and funding opportunities
- Environmental work at scale is most effective when it’s structured and actionable
Looking to take a similar approach?
If you’re managing a large area or catchment and need clarity on where to focus environmental efforts, we can help. Get in touch.