POST-QUAKE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AVON RIVER AND THE AVON-HEATHCOTE ESTUARY/IHUTAI ____________________________________ A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Water Resource Management in the University of Canterbury by Palamy Xayasenh University of Canterbury 2015 ____________________________________ Table of Contents Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... 1 Abstract ............................................................................................................................ 2 Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Background ......................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Contribution of the Research in the Development of Water Management Systems in Laos .................................................................................................. 8 1.3 Research Aims and Objectives ......................................................................... 11 1.4 Study Locations ................................................................................................. 12 1.5 Structure of Thesis ............................................................................................ 12 Chapter 2 Evaluation of Current Recreational Opportunities .................................. 14 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 14 2.1.1 The Avon River/Ōtākaro and the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai .............. 14 2.1.2 Recreational Use of the Avon River and the Estuary .................................... 15 2.1.3 Perceptions of Water Quality ……………………………………………18 2.2 Methods .............................................................................................................. 22 2.2.1 Questionnaire Design ......................................................................................... 22 2.2.2 Questionnaire Distribution ................................................................................ 23 2.2.3 Preliminarily Investigation of Questionnaire .................................................. 24 2.2.4 Refining of Questionnaire Methods ................................................................ 25 2.2.5 Data Analysis ...................................................................................................... 26 2.3 Results ......................................................................................................................... 26 2.3.1 Participant Demographics ................................................................................. 26 2.3.2 Recreation Characteristics and Habits ............................................................ 27 2.3.3 The Impacts of the Earthquakes on Recreational Users ............................... 35 2.3.4 Perceptions of Water Quality ............................................................................ 38 2.3.5 Awareness of Bacterial Pollution and Knowledge of its Sources ............... 40 2.3.6 Health Risk Perceptions .................................................................................... 41 2.3.7 Following of Information and Health Warnings about Bacterial Pollution and Information Sources .................................................................................. 42 2.3.8 Other Influential Factors in Decision Making ................................................ 44 2.3.9 Opinions on Recreational Resources and Facilities ...................................... 44 i 2.3.10 Attitudes towards Future Development for the Hub of Recreational Activities ............................................................................................................. 47 2.3.11 Other Comment Related to the Questionnaire .................................................... 48 2.4 Discussion .................................................................................................................. 49 Chapter 3 Public Participation in Recreational Activities ......................................... 58 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 58 3.2 Methods ...................................................................................................................... 60 3.2.1 Data Analysis ..................................................................................................... 62 3.3 Results ......................................................................................................................... 62 3.3.1 Socio-demographic Information ...................................................................... 63 3.3.2 Walking/Sightseeing ......................................................................................... 65 3.3.3 Running ............................................................................................................... 66 3.3.4 Biking .................................................................................................................. 67 3.3.5 Boating Activities .............................................................................................. 68 3.3.6 Fishing and Collecting Shellfish ..................................................................... 69 3.3.7 Swimming and Standup Paddle Boarding ...................................................... 70 3.3.8 Other Activities .................................................................................................. 70 3.4 Discussion .................................................................................................................. 71 Chapter 4 Evaluation of Recreational Resources ....................................................... 78 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 78 4.2 Methods ...................................................................................................................... 80 4.2.1 Water Quality ..................................................................................................... 81 4.2.2 Habitat Assessment ........................................................................................... 83 4.2.3 Facilities and Infrastructure ............................................................................... 85 4.2.4 Data Analysis ..................................................................................................... 86 4.3 Results ......................................................................................................................... 86 4.3.1 Water Quality ..................................................................................................... 87 4.3.2 Habitat Assessment ........................................................................................... 96 4.3.3 Freshwater and Marine Benthic Invertebrates ............................................. 103 4.3.4 Facilities and Infrastructure ………………………………………….….113 4.4 Discussion ............................................................................................................... 122 Chapter 5 Discussion and Research Implications ..................................................... 134 Appendices..................................................................................................................... 142 References …………………………………………………………………………….169 ii List of Figures Figure 1.1 Map of study locations ………………………………………………………12 Figure 2.1 Distribution of age groups of participants …………………………………..27 Figure 2.2 Groupings undertaking recreational activities ………………………………28 Figure 2.3 Travelling distance from residential places to study locations in winter (a) and summer (b) ……………………………………………………………………...29 Figure 2.4 Type of recreational activities undertaken by participants in winter (a) and summer (b) ……………………………………………………………………...32 Figure 2.5 Frequency of undertaking recreational activities in winter (a) and summer (b) ……………………………………………………………………………….34 Figure 2.6 Participation in recreational activities before the 22nd February 2011 earthquake (a) and Participant’s activities impacted by the earthquake………...35 Figure 2.7 Recreational activities undertaken by participants before and after the 22nd earthquake ………………………………………………………………………36 Figure 2.8 Frequency of undertaking recreational activities before the earthquake (a) and after the earthquake (b) ……………………………………................................37 Figure 2.9 Factors affecting the enjoyment of recreational activities ………………......38 Figure 2.10 Opinion of participants on water quality of the Avon River and the Estuary at different times ………………………………………………………………..38 Figure 2.11 Opinion of participants on water quality of each study locations at present …………………………………………………………………………..39 Figure 2.12 Concern of water quality …………………………………………………..40 Figure 2.13 Awareness of bacteria and virus entering river and the Estuary ………......41 Figure 2.14 Knowledge of sources of bacteria pollution ……………………………….41 Figure 2.15 Levels of health risks ………………………………………………………42 Figure 2.16 Following of information and health warnings ……………………………43 Figure 2.17 Sources of information …………………………………………………….43 Figure 2.18 Influential factors in decision making ………………..................................44