Simplifying food webs for applied freshwater restoration

27 November 2025 - 27 November 2025

Region(s): Nelson

Type(s): presentations

Join Freshwater Ecologist Dr Simon Stewart for a fascinating free talk on how simplifying food webs can benefit applied freshwater restoration.

Food webs describe the connections between all organisms within an ecosystem. While traditionally considered part of the theoretical end of the ecology spectrum, applying food web science to real-world environmental management is often hindered by perceptions of complexity — the idea that “it’s too complicated”.

However, as highlighted by a recent High Court decision on crayfish quotas in northern New Zealand, this argument cannot be used to justify management inaction. Instead of attempting to map every trophic interaction within a diverse food web, identifying “the most important bits” can have extremely meaningful contributions to environmental management.

Focusing on two recent research projects, Dr Stewart will demonstrate of how we can peel back the complexity of food webs and use that knowledge for better freshwater management. He will give examples outlining how an understanding of food web dynamics can be used to advance a rewilding approach to restoration and steps we need to take to apply this to longfin eel conservation.

There are options to attend this event in person in Nelson and/or receive an email with the recording of the presentation (not a live-stream) later in the week. Please make sure you register for the correct ticket.

Dr Simon Stewart (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa) is a freshwater water ecologist at the Cawthron Institute.

Location: Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street, The Wood, Nelson

For more information and to register for a ticket: https://events.humanitix.com/public-science-talk-november-2025