The term biodiversity (contraction of "biological diversity") refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth. The biodiversity of New Zealand is one of the most unique in the world because of the isolation from other continental landmasses, since this nation is a large island. Pre-human fauna included dinosaurs, pterosaurs and marine reptiles such as mosasaurs, elasmosaurs and plesiosaurs. Ancient fauna is not as well known, but it is certain that at least one species of terrestrial mammal existed in the island around 19 million years ago. New Zealand has a Biodiversity Action Plan to protect threatened flora and fauna.
Flora of New Zealand. Some of the characteristics of indigenous New Zealand flora are the following:
Flora of New Zealand. Some of the characteristics of indigenous New Zealand flora are the following:
- they are evergreen
- few annual herbs
- few cold-tolerant trees
- most are dispersed by birds
- very few have defences against mammals
- few nitrogen fixing plants
- few fire-adapted species
- flowers are usually small and white
- etc
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| A "kauri", the largest tree that grows in New Zealand |
Some of the plants present in New Zealand are trees, shrubs, ferns, seaweeds, liverworts, grasses and mosses, amongst others.
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| A "kiwi", flightless bird native to New Zealand |
The New Zealand government is trying to protect the remains of New Zealand's biological heritage. They have are working on island restoration, meaning offshore islands are cleared of introduced species. The reason for this is so they can introduce native species again.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity_of_New_Zealand
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_of_New_Zealand
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birds_of_New_Zealand
- http://www.newzealand.com/
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