New Zealand is known for its unique biodiversity, caused by its remarkable geography and geologic history. Breaking away from the supercontinent Gondwana about 80 million years ago, it has developed a distinct flora and fauna as a result of long geological isolation. Thus, many fascinating plants and animals are found nowhere else but in New..
Find out more about New Zealand's unique biodiversity by exploring a range of different ecosystems and the key role of some endemic species in these ecosystems...
Learn about community patterns and the ecological factors influencing these patterns. Revisit some of the ecosystems you've learned about earlier to learn more about the possible impacts of natural and human-induced environmental changes...
Meet some of New Zealand's unique fauna, including endemic insects, frogs, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and investigate why many have such distinctive features. You'll also find out about why there are so few native mammals and the impact of introduced pests on the unique natural ecosystems...
If New Zealand has lots of unique animals, it's also got a whole lot of unique plants. Find out more about some of them, and the roles they play in different natural ecosystems...
This lesson explores the impact of biosecurity threats, and why they need to be identified and managed. Examples to include are cases of the bacterium PSA causing disease on kiwifruits, myrtle rust, and biological control...
