The Impact of Mānuka-Dominated Riparian Vegetation on Lake Water Quality: A Multisource Remote Sensing Approach

Mānuka trees in riparian plantings along lake banks can enhance water quality and ecosystem resilience. This study utilizes multisource remote sensing data from an experimental Mānuka plot in the Lake Waikare catchment to assess their role in mitigating pollution and climate change effects. Soil moisture sensors were deployed in both Mānuka and non-Mānuka areas to compare soil moisture, water retention and soil loss. The proposed soil moisture prediction model achieved high accuracy R² value of 0.88. Results showed that Mānuka riparian areas had 53% lower soil moisture than non-riparian areas, and vegetation indices (VI) exhibited significant differences between plots. Furthermore, the riparian Mānuka plot reduced soil loss by 65% compared to non-riparian areas. These findings highlight the potential of Mānuka trees in riparian zones to enhance soil stability, reduce erosion, and support ecosystem resilience.