Purpose
FENZ consists of a large set of spatial data layers and supporting information on New Zealand's rivers, lakes and wetlands. The database aims to support decision making on freshwater ecosystem and biodiversity management by providing a consistent, robust national dataset for a range of freshwater ecosystems attributes.
Description
The Freshwater Ecosystems of NZ (FENZ) geo-database provides an independent, national representation of the biodiversity values and pressures on New Zealand's rivers, lakes and wetlands. It had its origins in the Waters of National Importance (WONI) component of the Ministry for the Environment's Sustainable Development Programme of Action (2007).
The FENZ database builds a robust, objective picture of New Zealand’s freshwater with the aim of supporting and informing decisions around conservation and freshwater ecosystem management. It represents a whole-of-government approach to the management of New Zealand’s freshwater resources.
FENZ is a large set of spatial data layers and supporting information on New Zealand's rivers, lakes and wetlands. It contains data gathered from a wide variety of sources. It can be used to objectively map and quantify various aspects of New Zealand's freshwater.
It provides a comprehensive descriptions of the physical environment and biological character of freshwater ecosystems and established classifications that group together rivers and streams, lakes and wetlands having similar ecological character.
Data is also provided on estimates of human pressures and impacts on biodiversity status, and rankings of biodiversity value that indicate a minimum set of sites that would provide representative protection of a fullrange of freshwater ecosystems while taking account of both human pressures and connectivity
Examples of FENZ outputs (after Leathwick, et, al. 2010)
FENZ has been used both by DOC and by other agencies in the management of freshwater resources. For example:
- Data describing the distribution and condition of wetlands has been invaluable in helping DOC staff identify significant wetland values on the South Island's West Coast as part of their broader input to a new Regional Plan.
- Staff from the Greater Wellington Regional Council are exploring use of the river and stream classification as a framework for regional-scale management.
- Waikato Regional Council staff are using both the ecosystem classification and predictions of the distributions of freshwater species to guide the identification of sites requiring remedial action.
| Latest Version | V1.0 |
|---|---|
| State of Development | Released and final |
Scope
| Outcome Areas | Environmental |
|---|---|
| Management Domains | Biodiversity, Freshwater |
| Intended End Users |
|
| Spatial Resolutions | 10-100m |
| Spatial Extents | National |
| Spatial Dimensions | 2D |
| Steady State or Dynamic | Steady State |
| Level of Integration | Environmental |
Input & Output Data
Accessibility
| Open/Closed Source | Open Source |
|---|
User Information
| Operating Systems | MS Windows |
|---|---|
| Software Needed | GIS |
| User Interface | Please Select |
| Ease of Use | Please Select |
| Use in Policy Process | Plan (Policy Formulation), Review (Issue Identification) |
| Documentation | FENZ - User Guide V1.0 |
Technical Considerations
| Analytical Techniques | GIS |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Biodiversity, Freshwater ecosystems |
| Links | Freshwater Ecosystems geo-database - https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/freshwater-ecosystems-of-new-zealand/ |
| Key References |