Effect of natural buffer areas on wood dynamics (Kimberly Reserve, Ohau River, New Zealand)

This study was assessed on a little-modified section of the Ohau River at Kim berly Reserve, North Island, New Zealand. The aim is to focus on the connection between low magnitude floods and wood dynamics. The Kimberly Reserve is the only area in the lower river where considerable riparian vegetation can be found. It also represents a zone of limited river man agement, where natural fluvial dynamics operate without human intervention. Analysing buffer zones like Kimberly Reserve is significant in understanding the relation between them and the nat ural functioning of river corridors. Six satellite images (from 1942, 1963, 2005, 2010, 2016 and 2018) were used to monitor planform changes throughout the research period. Wood recruited into the channel from the river corridor was quantified in the case of year 2018, using high resolution orthomosaics (3 cm) and GIS techniques. To support the results hydrological data were analysed.