Changes to the Marine Biota of the Auckland Harbour, by F. I
TANE 29, 1983 CHANGES TO THE MARINE BIOTA OF THE AUCKLAND HARBOUR by F. I. Dromgoole* and B. A. Fostert * Department of Botany, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland t Department of Zoology, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland SUMMARY The history of study of the marine biota of Auckland Harbour is briefly reviewed, and it is concluded that there is insufficient documented information to make quantitative assessment of changes that have resulted from reclamation, sedimentation and pollution that have occurred with the development of the Port of Auckland. Losses of mangrove and saltmarsh communities are indisputable, but causes of declines in populations of Zostera, Pomatoceros and Perna are not so clear. On the other hand, a number of species have been introduced, and circumstantial evidence suggests these adventives have arrived as ship- fouling. Cases discussed are Codium fragile tomentosoides, Colpomenia bullosa, Limaria orientalis and Sagartia luciae. The most conspicuous newcomer, the oyster Crassostrea gigas, may have been deliberately introduced. INTRODUCTION Regular use of the Auckland Harbour by European ships stems from the early 1800s, so there has been ample opportunity for the introduction of adventive fouling species. Maritime reclamation in Auckland Harbour dates back to about 1860 when shores near the commercial centre were filled and extended as wharves and breakwaters. Modification of habitats and inhabitants of the harbour has now been going on for more than 120 years, but scientific study of them has been of much shorter duration. In this paper we wish to document some additions and alterations to the marine biology. Auckland Harbour has three parts (see Fig.
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