What We Do
JS Ecology specialises in providing high quality botanical and plant ecological investigations, reporting and advice to a wide range of clients. See examples of our range of services below and feel free to contact us to find out how we can assist.
Specialist Botanical Assessment
Investigation and reporting on the botanical values of vegetation (species present, diversity, maturity, threat status etc.).
Assessment of Ecological Effects
Evaluation of the ecological effects of a project or development to accompany Resource Consent applications.
Mapping of Vegetation Types
Areas of native vegetation are often comprised of several different plant communities, for example kauri forest, podocarp broadleaved forest or wetland types. Mapping these different types is important to understanding the ecological values of a site.
Restoration Planting Plans and Project Management
Restoration planting of degraded areas and particularly riparian areas is a common mitigation strategy where native vegetation will be lost or streams will be impacted by development. Oversight of such restoration projects by an experienced ecologist increases the likelihood that the desired outcomes are reached within the expected timeframes. Plants are not cheap, therefore it's important to make sure they are given the best chance of surviving and growing well by selecting the right species for the site and ensuring weed control and maintenance is done.
Wetland Assessment
It can be difficult to determine whether an area is a "wetland” as understood by local councils or ecologists and opinions often differ. Determination of wetland status and type needs to consider both the plants present and the hydrology of the site. Because wetland drainage has been widespread in New Zealand it is important to conserve natural native wetlands, however artificially created wetlands or those dominated by exotic plants may have lower values.
Significant Ecological Areas (SEAs)
Assessment of native vegetation against local council standards and criteria for significant vegetation. This is often required where a project will impact on areas designated by local councils as "Significant Ecological Areas”.
Protection of Significant Vegetation in Return for Subdivision
Most local councils provide for limited subdivision or creation of additional titles in return for the protection of "significant” native vegetation. If native vegetation of sufficient quality and area occurs at a site, additional titles may be created in return for fencing and covenanting it. An assessment by a qualified ecologist is required to support the resource consent application for the environmental lot subdivision.
Threatened Plant Conservation
Identification of threatened plants as listed in Department of Conservation and local council threat classification lists. If a threatened plant occurs at your development site you may be required by the consenting authority to implement a management plan to conserve the species. A qualified plant ecologist can provide a conservation management plan for your project.
Biosecurity and Plant Health
Identification of kauri dieback disease symptoms in kauri trees and provision of advice on managing kauri dieback risks for sites where kauri occurs. Advice on other plant health issues.
Weed Management and Mapping
Mapping of weed infestations. Provision of Weed Management Plans
Ecological Compensation Evaluation & Mitigation Planning
Formulation of ecological compensation strategies in accordance with accepted good practice guidelines for biodiversity offsetting. Provision of mitigation plans to offset the effects of various types of development. JS Ecology specializes in formulating creative ecological compensation strategies that work.
Expert Witness at Council Hearings and the Environment Court
Where an application for Resource Consent is heard by a panel of council officers or goes to the Environment Court a qualified ecologist may be needed to provide specialist evidence relating the ecological effects of a proposal.