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New Zealand – Natural History

New ZealandNatural History

A brief over view of the natural systems

in Aotearoa - New Zealand

ObjectiveObjective

• To gain a basic knowledge of the natural history systems which occur in New Zealand

• To understand the importance of those systems as a tourism resource and what they represent in today’s world

We will look at 2 parts:We will look at 2 parts:

Part 1• Gondwanaland• Basic New Zealand Geology• Climate and climatic zones

ObjectiveObjective

Part 2• Indigenous Flora and Fauna• What is happening in today’s world

Part 1

Gondwanaland Geology and Climate

GondwanalandGondwanaland

• Ancient Southern super-continent • Included India, Asia, South America,

Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica as one big landmass

• Dates back 100 million years• Big Bang theory • Continental Drift - shifting landmasses to

locations as we know them today

New Zealand’s Basic GeologyNew Zealand’s Basic Geology

• Drifted away from Gondwanaland 100million years ago

• Sits upon the Pacific Ring of Fire - Volcanoes and hot springs

• Great Alpine Fault Line• Lots of small earthquakes and the occasional

big one• Glaciations• Mountain building• Rock types and Fossils

Pacific Ring of FirePacific Ring of Fire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Ring_of_Fire

www.otago.ac.nz/geology/af/alpinefaultwww.geology.otago.ac.nz

ClimateClimate

• Unique geography• Long thin islands with mountains reaching

3700 metres above sea level• Entirely surrounded by ocean• Roaring 40’s latitude • Precipitation range from 20cm to 7m per

yr

= a diverse range of climatic zones

Climatic ZonesClimatic Zones

New Zealand’s main climatic zones:– High Alpine– Alpine– Temperate– Sub Tropical– Coastal

SO…What does all this mean for SO…What does all this mean for the inhabitants of New Zealand???the inhabitants of New Zealand???

• New Zealand drifted away early taking with it the species of the time – Moa’s Ark

• Long time isolated so our indigenous species are a snap shot of ancient times

• Harsh and diverse climates, plants and animals need to be specially adapted for survival

• Dramatic impact with introduction of new species once man arrived

Lets take a closer look at the features of the different climatic zones …

High Alpine ZoneHigh Alpine Zone

Very cold temperatures, high precipitation, often covered in snow or ice, no soil, all rock, between 1800metres and 3700metres above sea level, very few birds and insects

Alpine zoneAlpine zone

Often cold and wet, maybe covered with snow for part of the year, between 900 metres and 1800 metres above sea level, some soil, few plants, no trees, few birds and insects

TemperateTemperate Zone Zone

Average to high precipitation, moderate to cold temperatures, some snow, some dry areas, between 400 and 900 metres above sea level though this varies depending on its proximity to the glaciers, reasonably good soil, some forests, birds and insects

Sub Tropical ZoneSub Tropical Zone

Warm climates, rarely frosty, closer the ocean, mostly coastal North Island and small part of Northern Westland, good soil, great diversity of plant and animal life

Coastal ZoneCoastal Zone

The unique coastal regions of New Zealand containing, sand dunes, estuaries, river mouths, coastal forest, ranging in temperatures and rainfall depending on the location in the country.

The EndThe End

Photos by Nicky Snoyink