Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy provides the following definition:
Biological diversity, or “biodiversity” for short, describes the variety of all biological life – plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms - the genes they contain and the ecosystems on land or in water where they live.
New Zealand’s Biodiversity
New Zealand's biodiversity is the inspiration for our national icons, the kiwi, silver fern and koru. No other country can claim these icons as theirs. These iconic species along with a large portion of our biodiversity are unique, or endemic, to New Zealand, which makes them special to New Zealand and to global biodiversity. These endemic species have a high conservation value because of their uniqueness and because they cannot be conserved in nature anywhere else in the world.
It also means if they are lost here, they are lost to the world. In New Zealand, about 90% of insects, 80% of trees, ferns and flowering plants, 25% of bird species, all 60 reptile species, four remaining frogs and two species of bat, are found nowhere else on earth. As a result New Zealand has been identified as one of 25 global biodiversity hotspots. However, there is cause for concern. On a national basis over 1000 plant, animal and fungi species are considered to be threatened.
There are many ways to protect indigenous biodiversity and support systems in place. To discuss how you can protect biodiversity contact Hurunui's Biodiversity Field Advisor on 03 3140059 or neville.parminter@hurunui.govt.nz
Information resources
Hurunui Biodiversity Strategy 2008
A vision for Hurunui that sees our unique natural values being maintained and enhanced by Council, landowners and other parties working together in partnership, voluntarily and cooperatively.
Greening Waipara
A research-driven project stemming from initiatives by Lincoln University, local wine growers, the Hurunui District Council and Landcare Research to calculate the dollar-value of the services provided for free by nature in the arable, pastoral and horticultural sectors.
QEII National Trust
Helps private landowners in New Zealand to protect significant natural and cultural features on their land through open space covenants in perpetuity.
Canterbury Biodiversity
A 'one-stop shop' for information related to biodiversity in Canterbury.
New Zealand Biodiversity
National biodiversity information.
Trees for Canterbury
A well-established community organisation created to meet the Green Effect Trust’s objectives to Employ, Educate and Regenerate.
New Zealand Plant Conservation Network
Was established in 2003 with the vision that 'no indigenous species of plant will become extinct nor be placed at risk of extinction as a result of human action or indifference, and that the rich, diverse and unique plant life of New Zealand will be recognised, cherished and restored'.
The Green Toolbox
A free Windows-based software package to help users choose and evaluate plants for a variety of land management applications.
FORMAK
The Forest Monitoring and Assessment Kit.
Carbon Credits
Carbon credits from forest regeneration projects.
Get Trained
DOC is offering training courses to the public to encourage community participation in conservation. The department is sharing its skills and expertise to ensure consistent and high standards of conservation are maintained across New Zealand.
Land and Environment Planning Tool Kit
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Land and Environmental Planning Tool Kit guides you through a step-by-step process to document the land and environmental issues on your farm and what to do to address them. Farmers can complete the Level 1 or introductory LEP in less than 20 minutes.
Celebrating excellence
Balance Farm Environment Awards
Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand
The association of environmental practitioners.
Contestable funds
Mainpower Hurunui Natural Environment Fund