By CATHY ARONSON
HAMILTON - Councils and environmental groups have banded together to preserve the Waikato's nationally significant peat lakes, which are being threatened by development.
The group claims that drainage, vegetation clearance and agriculture have affected the water level, water quality, biodiversity and the natural character of many peat lakes in the region.
They say the Waikato's wetland ecosystems are nationally significant because they are the largest remaining collection of that habitat in the country.
The wetlands also maintain regional biodiversity and contain unique species of plants and animals.
Environment Waikato freshwater ecologist Grant Barnes said the Waipa peat lakes were particularly vulnerable to declining water levels.
This was because the wetland was being drained for farmland, which was resulting in irreversible shrinkage and oxidation of the peat.
The group consists of the Waipa District Council, Environment Waikato, the Department of Conservation and the Fish and Game Council.
It has already begun work on the lakes in most critical condition, Rotomanuka, Ngaroto, Cameron and Serpentine.
Control structures on the outlets of the Rotomanuka and Serpentine lakes will ensure the water level does not go too low in summer and that there is no flooding in the winter.
The Waipa District Council has installed a lake-level protection weir at Lake Mangakaware to maintain water levels there.
Mr Barnes said Environment Waikato had set minimum peat lake water levels that aimed to achieve a balance between ecological needs and the moisture requirements of neighbouring farms.
Group's aim is healthy lakes
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