Biodiversity and Nature 101

Biodiversity is the variety of all living things and ecosystems. It includes plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms, as well as the ecosystems (on land or in water) where they live. It represents diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

Kaka/native parrot peeking out of bush with a piece of in vegetation in between beak
Gannet with wings outstretched next to other gannet

Key drivers of biodiversity loss

Global biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history. Scientists have identified five key drivers of biodiversity loss:

1. Changes in land and sea use
2. Direct exploitation of natural resources
3. Climate change
4. Pollution
5. Invasion of alien non-native species

Scientists predict that on our current trajectory of habitat loss and climate change, between one third and one half of all remaining species will face extinction by the end of this century. Their disappearance will destabilise entire ecosystems and human civilization.

The Biodiversity of Aotearoa New Zealand 

Aotearoa New Zealand has a high level of endemic A plant or animal that is found in a particular geographical region and does not occur naturally in any other part of the world.  biodiversity, with an estimated 80,000 species of native A plant or animal that lives and reproduces in an area naturally and without any human intervention. animals, plants and fungi found only here. This includes all frogs and reptiles, more than 90% of insects, approximately 80% of vascular plants and a quarter of bird species. 

This incredible vibrancy is fading fast.

  • In the last 1,000 years, 40 of our indigenous land and marine species have become extinct. The most recent inventory identified 799 threatened species and 2,741 at risk species
  • Over 90% of our wetlands have been drained and destroyed
  • 76% of our freshwater fish are threatened with extinction
  • Three quarters of New Zealand’s indigenous forest has been cut down
Taxidermy of stoat standing over native bird egg

Challenges and threats in Aotearoa New Zealand

  • Animal threats:
    • predators such as rats, possums, weasels and stoats, which eat native plants and prey on birds and eggs
    • Cats and dogs (domestic and feral), mice and hedgehogs
    • Feral browsers that eat native seedlings such as goats, deer, rabbits and pigs
    • Introduced insects including wasps and argentine ants. 

  • Invasive plants: They smother native seedlings and halt the regeneration of native bush.

  • Diseases: For example, kauri dieback and myrtle rust.

  • Climate change.

  • Land conversion and intensification of land use: For forestry, agriculture and urbanisation.
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