Assessing present health

This document sets out general principles for how key changes in ecological indicators in a consistent direction over time can be used as important indicators of shifts in ecological health. These changes can be measured by quantitative monitoring over time but can also be estimated from local observations. We provide two levels of methods – those that can most easily be used by non-scientists, and others that are more technical for council or government scientists. Towards the end of this document we summarise other indicators presently used in Aotearoa New Zealand along with who can be contacted for more information.