Biodiversity is short for biological diversity. It is the number and variety of living things found within an area.
Native or endemic?
New Zealand has many endemic species. These species are not found anywhere else in the world. This is not the same as being ‘native’.
A species is native if it is naturally found in a place, but it may be found in more than one country. For example, the pūkeko is a native species in New Zealand, Europe, India and Asia, but the kākā is endemic. So kākā are only found in New Zealand. The mānuka shrub is native to both New Zealand and Australia, but the pōhutukawa is endemic to New Zealand.
What causes biodiversity?
Biodiversity is the result of different plants and animals living in different conditions. These different species all have different roles in an ecosystem. An ecosystem is made up of living things like animals, plants, fungi and bacteria, as well as the environment they live in. A healthy ecosystem has a high level of biodiversity.
Living things respond to and are affected by where they live, so it is important to look at all parts of an ecosystem to understand how it works. A BioBlitz can help experts to understand what lives in an area. Then they can look at how these species may be affected by changes to that environment.
New Zealand has a variety of ecosystems or habitats such as:
- wetlands
- rainforest
- tussock grassland
- estuaries
- mountains
- farm land.
A variety of environments supports a variety of living things. So, it is important to protect different environments.
Why is biodiversity important?
Our biodiversity supports life. A variety of living things support:
- clean air
- clean water
- growing food
- beautiful landscapes – valuable for well-being, tourism and recreation
- fertile soils
- pollution control
- flood control
- breaking down rubbish
- erosion control.
Hidden biodiversity
Some important fungi and bacteria can only be seen through a microscope. Fungi and bacteria can break down fallen trees and dead material. This returns nutrients to the soil. Some types of fungi and bacteria help plants to use the nutrients in the soil to grow.
The importance of New Zealand’s biodiversity
New Zealand's biodiversity has many unique features. Many species are found nowhere else in the world. This makes New Zealand’s biodiversity both special and at risk. If these species are lost to New Zealand, they are lost to the world.
Ready for a quiz? Try "The Importance of Biodiversity" interactive activity.
