Photo Gallery for Wetland Biodiversity

Calm weather allowed us to have the web conference outside. Image: LEARNZ.

The wrybill/ngutu parore rely on braided rivers for survival. Why are their numbers so low? Image: LEARNZ. 

This wrybill/ngutu parore egg is well camouflaged. How might this adaptation work against it? Image: LEARNZ.

Brad Edwards showed you some of the animals that prey on braided river birds. Can you name them? Image: LEARNZ. 

An unfortunate end to a black fronted tern/tarapiroe and its eggs. What animal do you think might have killed them? Image: LEARNZ.

The DOC 250 is a powerful weapon against unwanted predators. What makes a predator want to go inside the box? Image: LEARNZ.

Tracking tunnels are an effective way of finding out what animals are living in an area. Image: LEARNZ.

Can you work out what animal made this foot print? Image: LEARNZ.

These cameras give important information to DOC about predator behaviour. How else could they be used in conservation? Image: LEARNZ.

Australasian crested grebe/kāmana spend their whole life on the water. How might that help them? Image: LEARNZ.

With these feet, kāmana couldn't walk on land even if they wanted to. Image: LEARNZ.

Juzah Zammit-Ross answers a question on this morning's web conference, with Tewera King and Andrew. Image: LEARNZ.

Andrew with Tewera King outside the old Hakatere Station building. Image: LEARNZ.

One of the oldest buildings in Canterbury. This building is part of the old Hakatere Station. How has land use changed wetlands since European settlement? Image: LEARNZ.

Sheep in a paddock on private farmland next to Ō Tū Wharekai. Do those green pastures in the distance look out of place to you? Image: LEARNZ.

Kōwhai trees stand strong as a reminder of what once was at Ō Tū Wharekai. Are there remnant patches of forest near your place? Image: LEARNZ.

Juzah with some kōwhai seeds that she uses to grow new trees for planting around these wetlands. Why might it be a good idea to use seeds from trees living in the same area? Image: LEARNZ.

A view over Lake Heron/Ō Tū Roto. In the foreground are carex secta/pūkio. What jobs do these wetland plants do? Image: LEARNZ.

An area of planting to help restore land near Lake Clearwater/Te Puna a Taka. Why are there dead trees here also? Image: LEARNZ.

Here is one of the kōwhai trees grown from locally sourced seeds. Why is the green box around the tree? Image: LEARNZ.

Some of the braids from the Hakatere (Ashburton) River. How are the braids formed? Image: LEARNZ.

Gentians growing in an ephemeral tarn, also called a kettle hole. How might this wetland change over the course of a year? Image: LEARNZ.

A closer look at some of the gentians. Can you see the pollinator? Image: LEARNZ.

Beyond the "canopy" of the gentians lies a miniature forest undergrowth. Image: LEARNZ.

There is a wide variety of native plants to see within the turf communities if you look close enough. These little flowers you can see are a native violet. Image: LEARNZ.

Another close-up look at plants within the turf community. How might these plants cope with the extreme weather changes they face over a year? Image: LEARNZ.

Looking across one of the Māori Lakes. What important functions do wetlands have? Image: LEARNZ.

Raupō is a common wetland plant in New Zealand. How might Māori have used it in the past? Image: LEARNZ.

Carex secta/pūkio has many functions in a wetland. Can you think of one or two? Image: LEARNZ.

I wonder what animal has left these footprints in the wetland. Image: LEARNZ.

Andrew and Egbert at the airport in Kerikeri. Image: LEARNZ.

Heading to the Bombardier Q300 aircraft at Kerikeri airport. Image: LEARNZ. 

I wonder how wetlands in a city are different to wetlands in rural areas? Image: LEARNZ.

Looking at the airplane that would eventually take us to Christchurch. Image: LEARNZ.

A view over the Manukau Harbour shortly after take-off. Image: LEARNZ.

Looking up the west coast towards the Manukau Harbour entrance. Image: LEARNZ.

Rivers snake their way down from the Southern Alps and through Canterbury farmland. How might farming affect rivers? What could farmers do to help wetlands such as rivers? Image: LEARNZ.

A great view of the Waimakariri River. What recreational activities might this river be used for? Image: LEARNZ.

Looking towards the Rakaia Bridge over the Rakaia River. I wonder how much water is taken from this river for irrigation. LEARNZ.

Andrew and Egbert next to the giant salmon in Rakaia. Are salmon introduced or are they native? Image: LEARNZ.

You've finally made it to Mt Somers. See you tomorrow! Image: LEARNZ.