Seed monitoring
Image: Ross Curtis

Reports from DOC's monitoring system

Introduction

Get analysed results from implemented and ongoing monitoring programmes.

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In this section

National status and trends

DOC's Monitoring and Reporting System is designed to provide timely, robust information on the state of and changes in components of ecological integrity and visitation across public conservation land.

The use of this system information reduces the reliance on anecdotal observations, allowing evidence-based management decisions and reporting on progress towards outcomes. This reporting is achieved through specific stories/topics, as well as the state and trends of particular indicators or measures.

View the factsheets from DOC's monitoring and reporting system:

Terrestrial monitoring results

Plot level reports

DOC monitors a random selection of sites each year, with all sites (approximately 1,400) being done on a five-year rotation. Teams of staff are now monitoring approximately 280 sampling sites each year.

While the data can be used immediately for a range of purposes, the systematic monitoring programme's greatest benefits are long-term. 

Explore the results from the national biodiversity monitoring programme:

Seedfall monitoring data

DOC monitors seed production by forest tree species at over 70 locations across New Zealand.  Falling seed is collected in traps and used to estimate annual seed production by each species.

The majority of seedfall monitoring occurs in southern beech forest. The results are used to predict the likelihood of large seed crops (mast) which trigger rodent and stoat plagues.

Predator plagues pose a serious threat to our endangered birds such as mōhua, kākā, kea, whio and kiwi along with other at risk species like bats and land snails. Early detection of mast seeding enables DOC to plan and implement effective predator control programmes.

Explore results from the national beech seedfall monitoring programme:

Introduced species distribution maps

The diversity and extent of New Zealand's natural heritage has significantly decreased over the past 700–800 years. It's continuing to be degraded by introduced animals and plants, human activities, and the impacts of climate change.

National distribution maps highlight areas of invasion, and help in prioritising management and reporting on the status and trends of national indicators and measures.

DOC maintains distribution maps of key introduced species through the systematic collection of management and monitoring information on their distribution and abundance.

The first set of maps was produced in 2007, using known datasets and contemporary DOC institutional knowledge. These maps represent baseline data for future planned iterations.

Research reports derived from the programme

The following reports are outputs from DOC’s implemented and ongoing monitoring programmes, which provide insight into specific conservation issues and how DOC can potentially address them.

Visitor asset utilisation reports

DOC uses activity counters to understand where, when, and how often people are using public conservation land for recreation.

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