UC Spark

Associate Professor Jonathan Sutherland Harding

Biological Sciences

Fields of Research

  • Aquatic entomology
  • Biomonitoring
  • Freshwater biology
  • Land use impact effects on stream communities
  • Restoration and remediation
  • State of the Environment programs
  • Stream conservation ecology
  • Earthquake research

Researcher Summary

Research interest is applied stream ecology with emphasis on the impacts of human land-use activities (e.g. mining, urbanisation, agriculture, forestry and hydro-electric power development) and forest fragmentation. Specific interests are: the effects of long-term land use activities on stream ecosystems, with particular emphasis on benthic diversity and impacts on regionally endemic species; predicting anthropogenic impacts on river continuums; the application of stream ecology in biomonitoring and the development of State of the Environment programs; taxonomy and ecology of aquatic invertebrates; stream restoration ecology; and environmental education.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Research Groups

Future Research

  • Development of National Stream habitat assessment protocols

Key Methodologies

  • Ecotoxicological studies on aquatic invertebrates
  • Electric fishing certified
  • Identification of aquatic invertebrates

Affiliations

Publications


  • Dayaram, A., Goldstien, S., Zawar-Reza, P., Gomez, C., Harding, J.S. and Varsani, A. (2013) Novel single stranded DNA virus recovered from estuarine Mollusc (Amphibola crenata) whose replication associated protein (Rep) shares similarities with Rep-like sequences of bacterial origin. Journal of General Virology 94: 1104-1110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.050088-0. (Journal Article)
  • Niyogi, D.K., Harding, J.S. and Simon, K.S. (2013) Organic matter breakdown as a measure of stream health in New Zealand streams affected by acid mine drainage. Ecological Indicators 24: 510-517. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.08.003. (Journal Article)
  • Gray, D.P. and Harding, J.S. (2012) Acid Mine Drainage Index (AMDI): a benthic invertebrate biotic index for assessing coal mining impacts in New Zealand streams. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 46(3): 335-352. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288330.2012.663764. (Journal Article)
  • Hogsden, K.L. and Harding, J.S. (2012) Anthropogenic and natural sources of acidity and metals and their influence on the structure of stream food webs. Environmental Pollution 162: 466-474. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2011.10.024. (Journal Article)
  • Hogsden, K.L. and Harding, J.S. (2012) Consequences of acid mine drainage for the structure and function of benthic stream communities: a review. Freshwater Science 31(1): 108-120. http://dx.doi.org/10.1899/11-091.1. (Journal Article)
  • Blakely, T.J., Harding, J.S. and Didham, R.K. (2012) Distinctive aquatic assemblages in water-filled tree holes: A novel component of freshwater biodiversity in New Zealand temperate rainforests. Insect Conservation and Diversity 5(3): 202-212. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-4598.2011.00155.x. (Journal Article)
  • Clapcott, J.E., Collier, K.J., Death, R.G., Goodwin, E.O., Harding, J.S., Kelly, D., Leathwick, J.R. and Young, R.G. (2012) Quantifying relationships between land-use gradients and structural and functional indicators of stream ecological integrity. Freshwater Biology 57(1): 74-90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2011.02696.x. (Journal Article)
  • Jellyman, P. and Harding, J.S. (2012) The role of dams in altering freshwater fish communities in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 46(4): 475-489. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288330.2012.708664. (Journal Article)
  • Lear, G., Ancion, P-Y., Harding, J. and Lewis, G.D. (2012) Use of bacterial communities to assess the ecological health of a recently restored stream. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 46(3): 291-301. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288330.2011.638647. (Journal Article)
  • Gray, D.P., Harding, J.S., Elberling, B., Horton, T., Clough, T.J. and Winterbourn, M.J. (2011) Carbon cycling in floodplain ecosystems: Out-gassing and photosynthesis transmit soil delta13C gradient through stream food webs. Ecosystems 14(4): 583-597. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10021-011-9430-1. (Journal Article)
  • Greenwood, M.J., Harding, J.S., Niyogi, D.K. and McIntosh, A.R. (2011) Improving the effectiveness of riparian management for aquatic invertebrates in a degraded agricultural landscape: stream size and land-use legacies. Journal of Applied Ecology 49(1): 213-222. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02092.x. (Journal Article)
  • Gray, D.P. and Harding, J.S. (2011) Multi-scaled environmental determinism of benthic invertebrate communities in braided rivers: evidence for complex hierarchical controls on local communities. Fundamental Applied Limnology 179(1): 3-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/1863-9135/2011/0179-0003. (Journal Article)
  • Campbell, R.E., Harding, J.S., Ewers, R.M., Thorpe, S. and Didham, R.K. (2011) Production land use alters edge response functions in remnant forest invertebrate communities. Ecological Applications 21(8): 3147-3161. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/10-2390.1. (Journal Article)
  • Cavanagh, J.E., Pope, J., Harding, J.S., Trumm, D., Craw, D., Rait, R., Greig, H., Niyogi, D., Buxton, R., Champeau, O. and Clemens, A. (2010) A framework for predicting and managing water quality impacts of mining streams: A user's guide. Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. 138pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Blakely, T.J., Harding, J.S., Clews, E. and Winterbourn, M.J. (2010) An illustrated guide to the freshwater macroinvertebrates of Singapore. Christchurch: School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury. 74pp. (Authored Book)
  • Greenwood, M.J., McIntosh, A.R. and Harding, J.S. (2010) Disturbance across an ecosystem boundary drives cannibalism propensity in a riparian consumer. Behavioral Ecology 21(6): 1227-1235. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arq140. (Journal Article)
  • Greig, H.S., Niyogi, D.K., Hogsden, K.L., Jellyman, P.G. and Harding, J.S. (2010) Heavy metals: Confounding factors in the response of New Zealand freshwater fish assemblages to natural and anthropogenic acidity. Science of the Total Environment 408(16): 3240-3250. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.04.006. (Journal Article)
  • Blakely T.J., Harding. and J.S. (2010) The SingScore: A macroinvertebrate biotic index for assessing the health of Singapore streams and canals. Public Utilities Board Singapore. 55pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Greig, H.S., Harding, J.S. and Gray D. (2009) Benthic invertebrate and fish communities in streams associated with the proposed Bishops Block coal mine. Solid Energy NZ Ltd. (Report for External Body)
  • Lear, G., Niyogi, D., Harding, J.S., Dong, Y. and Lewis, G. (2009) Biofilm bacterial community structure in streams affected by acid mine drainage. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 75(11): 3455-3460. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00274-09. (Journal Article)
  • Gray, D. and Harding, J.S. (2009) Braided river benthic diversity at multiple spatial scales: a hierarchical analysis of beta diversity in complex floodplain systems. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 28(3): 537-551. http://dx.doi.org/10.1899/08-136.1. (Journal Article)
  • Gray, D.P., Harding, J.S. and Winterbourn, M.J. (2009) Namanereis tiriteae, New Zealand's freshwater polychaete: new distribution records and review of biology. New Zealand Natural Sciences 34: 29-38. (Journal Article)
  • Bray, J.P., Broady, P.A., Niyogi, D.K. and Harding, J.S. (2008) Periphyton communities in New Zealand streams impacted by acid mine drainage. Marine and Freshwater Research 59(12): 1084-1091. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/MF08146. (Journal Article)
  • O'Halloran, K., Cavanagh, J. and Harding, J.S. (2008) Response of a New Zealand mayfly (Deleatidium spp.) to acid mine drainage: implications for mine remediation. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 27(5): 1135-1140. (Journal Article)
  • Gray, D. and Harding, J.S. (2007) Braided river ecology: a literature review of physical habitats and aquatic invertebrate communities.. Department of Conservation. Department of Conservation. 51. (Technical Report)
  • Niyogi, D. and Harding, J. (2007) Coal mine drainage: Complex effects on streams. The New Zealand Water and Wastes Association (NZWWA) Journal November: 50-53. (Journal Article)
  • Winterbourn, M.J., Chadderton, W.L., Entrekin, S.A., Tank, J.L. and Harding, J.S. (2007) Distribution and dispersal of adult stream insects in a heterogeneous montane environment. Archiv für hydrobiologie 168(2): 127-135. (Journal Article)
  • Harding, J.S., Norton, D.A. and McIntosh, A.R. (2007) Persistence of a significant population of rare Canterbury mudfish (Neochanna burrowsius) in a unique hydrologically isolated catchment. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 41(3): 309-316. (Journal Article)
  • Winterbourn, M.J., Harding, J.S. and McIntosh, A.R. (2007) Response of the benthic fauna of an urban stream during six years of restoration. New Zealand Natural Sciences 32: 1-12. (Journal Article)
  • Harding, J.S. (2006) Assessment of the impact of road culverts on fish passage within Selwyn Plantation Board Estate. Selwyn Plantation Board. (Report for External Body)
  • Blakely, T.J., Harding, J.S., McIntosh, A.R. and Winterbourn, M.J. (2006) Barriers to the recovery of aquatic insect communities in urban streams. Freshwater Biology 51(9): 1634-1645. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2006.01601.x. (Journal Article)
  • Harding, J.S., Claassen, K. and Evers, N. (2006) Can forest fragments reset physical and water quality conditions in agricultural catchments and act as refugia for forest stream invertebrates? Hydrobiologia 568(1): 391-402. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0206-0. (Journal Article)
  • Ewers, R.M., Kliskey, A.D., Walker, S., Rutledge, D., Harding, J. and Didham, R.K. (2006) Past and future trajectories of forest loss in New Zealand. Biological Conservation 133(3): 312-325. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2006.06.018. (Journal Article)
  • Gray, D., Scarsbrook, M. and Harding, J.S. (2006) Spatial biodiversity patterns in a large New Zealand braided river. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 40(4): 631-642. (Journal Article)
  • Harding, J.S. and McIntosh, A.R. (2006) The occurrence of Canterbury Mudfish in Selwyn Plantation Board Ltd estate in the Waianiwaniwa Valley. Selwyn Plantation Board. 14pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J.S. (2005) Impacts of metals and mining on stream communities. In T.A. Moore, A. Black, A.A. Centeno, J.S. Harding and D.A. Trumm (Ed.), Metal Contaminants in New Zealand: 343-357. Christchurch: Caxton Press. (Chapter in Book)
  • Blakely, T.J. and Harding, J.S. (2005) Longitudinal patterns in benthic communities in an urban stream under restoration. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 39: 17-28. (Journal Article)
  • Moore, T.A., Black, A., Centeno, A.A., Harding, J.S. and Trumm, D.A. (Ed.) (2005) Metal contaminants in New Zealand. Christchurch: Caxton Press. pp. (Edited Book)
  • Moore, T.A., Black, A., Centeno, J.A., Harding, J.S. and Trumm, D.A. (Ed.) (2005) Metal Contaminants in New Zealand, Sources, Treatments, and Effects on Ecology and Human Health. Christchurch: Resolutionz Press. 490pp. (Edited Book)
  • Barnden, A.R. and Harding, J.S. (2005) Shredders and leaf breakdown in streams polluted by coal mining in the South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Natural Sciences 30: 35-48. (Journal Article)
  • Blakely, T.J. and Chadderton W.L., Harding J.S. (2005) The effect of rotenone on orchard-pond invertebrate communities in the Motueka area, South Island, New Zealand. Department of Conservation, Research and Development Series 220. (Report for External Body)
  • Eikaas, H.S., Harding, J.S., Kliskey, A.D. and McIntosh, A.R. (2005) The effect of terrestrial habitat fragmentation on fish populations in small streams: A case study from New Zealand. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift–Norwegian Journal of Geography 59(4): 269-275. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00291950500375351. (Journal Article)
  • Harding, J., Mosley, P., Pearson, C. and Sorrell, B. (Ed.) (2004) Freshwaters of New Zealand. Christchurch: NZ Hydrological & Limnological Societies. pp. (Edited Book)
  • Young, R., Smart, G. and Harding, J. (2004) Impacts of hydro-dams, irrigation schemes and river control works. In J. Harding, P. Mosley, C. Pearson, B. Sorrell (Ed.), Freshwaters of New Zealand: 37.1-37.15. Christchurch: NZ Hydrological & Limnological Societies. (Chapter in Book)
  • Harding, J. and Boothroyd, I. (2004) Impacts of mining. In J. Harding, P. Mosley, C. Pearson & B. Sorrell (Ed.), Freshwaters of New Zealand: 36.1-36.10. Christchurch: NZ Hydrological & Limnological Societies. (Chapter in Book)
  • Black, A. Harding., J., de Joux., A., Kliskey., A., Moore., T.A., O’Halloran., K., Trumm. and D.A. (2003) Developing assessment methods and remediation protocols for New Zealand sites impacted by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). A case study, Sullivan Mine, West Coast, New Zealand.. Australia: ICAD Conference, 2003. (Conference Contribution - Full conference paper)
  • Harding, J.S. (2003) Historic deforestation and the fate of endemic invertebrate species in streams. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research 37: 333-345. (Journal Article)
  • Harding, J., McIntosh, A.R. and Eikaas, H. (2002) An ecological assessment of river environment classification in WEst Coast beech forest streams. University of Canterbury FERG02/01. 57. (Report for External Body)
  • Hudson, H. and Harding, J.S. (2001) Drainage Management in New Zealand: A review of existing activities and alternative management practices.. Department of Conservation. Department of Conservation. 66. (Technical Report)
  • Stark, J.D., Boothroyd, I.K., Harding, J., Maxted, J.R. and Scarsbrook, M.R. (2001) Protocols for sampling macroinvertebrates in wadeable streams. 57. (Report for External Body)
  • Young, R., Harding, J., Strickland, R., Stark, J., Shearer, K. and Hayes, J. (2000) Cobb Power Scheme Rescource Consent Renewal 2000/2001: Water quality, aquatic habitat & fisheries. Cawthron Report No 554. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J. (2000) Ecological impact of PCP contamination on Switchback Stream, and the Percival River Hanmer. Cawthron Report No 542. 15. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J.S., Quinn, J.M. and Hickey, C.W. (2000) Effects of mining and forestry production. In Collier, K.J., Winterbourn, M.J. (Ed.), New Zealand stream invertebrates: ecology and implications for management: 415pp. Christchurch: New Zealand Limnological Society. (Chapter in Book)
  • Harding, J. (2000) How healthy is Spring Creek? Cawthron Research News, March 2000. 6pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J. (2000) Impacts of the Reefton Sewage Outfall on the ecology of Cemetery Creek and the Inangahua River. Cawthron Report No 543. 10pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Strickland, R., Harding, J. and Shearer, K. (2000) The Biology of Lake Dunstan. Cawthron Report No 563. (Report for External Body)
  • Young, R., Strickland, R., Harding, J., Stark, J. and Hayes, J. (2000) The Ecology of Spring Creek - Awarua. Cawthron Report No 611. (Report for External Body)
  • McLeod, A. and Harding, J. (2000) Victoria Flats landfill: baseline groundwater monitoring. Cawthron Report No 589. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J.S. and Strickland, R.R. (1999) Biological surveys of Albert Town and Hawea sewage discharges. Cawthron Report No 474. 8pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J.S., Young, R.G., Hayes, J.W., Shearer, K.A. and Stark, J.D. (1999) Changes in agricultural intensity and river health along a river continuum. Freshwater biology 42(2): 345-357. (Journal Article)
  • Harding, J.S. and Stevens, L. (1999) Effects of Kaituna landfill on water quality and stream biology. Cawthron Report No 488. 12pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J. (1999) Effects of Seddon landfill on water quality and stream biology. Cawthron Report No 486. 12pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J. (1999) State of the Environment Bibliography database: an overview and guide. Cawthron Report No 484. 9pp. (Report for External Body)
  • James, T.I., Harding, J.S. and Lattimore, S.A. (1999) The State of West Coast Surface Water Quality.. West Coast Regional Council. West Coast Regional Council. 70. (Technical Report)
  • Harding, J. (1999) West Coast Regional Council State of the Environment report: a review of ecological data. Cawthron Report No 494. 24pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J.S. and Strickland, R.R. (1998) A biological assessment of Gibsons Creek. Milburn Cement. Cawthron Report No 440. 15. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J.S. (1998) Report on resource consent for sewerage discharge at Rainbow Ski Area. Rainbow Ski Area Company. Cawthron Report No 437. 9pp. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J.S., Benfield, E.F., Bolstad, P.V., Helfman, G.S. and Jones, E.B.D. (1998) Stream biodiversity: The ghost of land-use past. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 95(25): 14843-14847. (Journal Article)
  • Harding, J.S. and Winterbourn, M.J. (1997) An Ecoregion Classification of the South Island, New Zealand. Journal of Environment Management 51(3): 275-287. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jema.1997.0145. (Journal Article)
  • Harding, J.S. (1997) Feeding ecology of Aoteapsyche raruraru (McFarlane)(Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) in a New Zealand lake outlet. Aquatic Insects: International Journal of Freshwater Entomology 19(1): 51-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01650429709361636. (Journal Article)
  • Harding, J.S. and Winterbourn, M.J. (1997) New Zealand ecoregions: a classification for use in stream conservation and management. Department of Conservation Technical Series, v11. Department of Conservation. 1-26. (Report for External Body)
  • Harding, J.S., Winterbourn, M.J. and McDiffett, W.F. (1997) Stream faunas and ecoregions in South Island, New Zealand: do they correspond? Arch. Hydrobiol 140(3): 289-307. (Journal Article)