Credit: Ayushi Kachhara NIWA 2018
This map shows areas where nitrogen removal by soft-sediment seabed is predicted to be high.
The removal of nitrogen from coastal waters is a critical ecosystem service, particularly in areas with high nutrient run-off from land.
This 25 km2 map shows classification zones of importance to service provision from high importance (red) to low importance (blue), based on an indirect measure, denitrification enzyme activity or DEA.
Note: This map predicts the potential for nitrogen removal. If an area has been disturbed (eg been trawled or has high sediment run off from land), then it will not match its predicted classification – but may be a good candidate for restoration efforts.
