Transitory use of lowland lakes in southern New Zealand by īnanga (<i>Galaxias maculatus</i>)

<p dir="ltr">For a PhD thesis, we examined the impacts of modern-day environmental conditions and management of lowland freshwater habitats on īnanga populations. Initially, we surveyed 15 lowland lakes in the South Island for īnanga populations that may have become lake-resident (i.e., developing in the lake instead of the sea). We examined the lake-opening management for Te Waihora - Lake Ellesmere to assess the flow-on effect on local īnanga populations. Finally, we used a targeted survey along gradients of habitat complexity and densities of predatory fishes to quantify how īnanga have likely been affected by changes to the local environment.</p><p dir="ltr">This handout provides an overview of the important findings and highlights a cost-effective way to improve lowland waterways for īnanga alongside other native fishes.</p>