ABSTRACT
A healthy river, and in turn a healthy estuary and near-shore coastal zone, requires a healthy catchment in which uplands, riparian corridors, floodplains and wetlands are managed to steward and protect water resources. This requires management of land in ways that minimise movement of soil and pollutants to water bodies, minimisation of impervious surfaces, and sensitive design of dams, barriers and other modifications to natural stream morphology that cannot be avoided. It also requires efficient and sustainable management of agricultural production systems, including livestock, to minimise both import and export of nutrients to and from the system. Achievement of a healthy catchment will advance other natural resource conservation goals including protection of habitat and conservation of biodiversity. It will make both human and natural systems more resilient to the threats from climate change, and it can contribute to human health, wellbeing and economic activities based on recreation and countryside access.
