Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Ecosystems are areas where plants, animals, landscape and weather co-exist. The health of an ecosystem can be measured by the diversity of species within it, which is known as biodiversity. SCIS no: 1978049

Sets
ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY: INTRODUCTION
ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY: INTRODUCTION
The National Geographic defines an ecosystem (ecological system) as "a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscapes, work together to form a bubble ...
Sets
ECOSYSTEMS and BIODIVERSITY
ECOSYSTEMS and BIODIVERSITY
This story explores key ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots in Aotearoa and around the world. It looks at their significance and decline, as well as how to protect them for future generations.
Images
Copper Butterfly
Copper Butterfly
Copper Butterfly pollinating shrubby native daisy, Olearia cymbifolia near Island Saddle, Molesworth.
Images
Midge larva
Scientists use species like midge larva to assess the quality of water in our streams, rivers and lakes.
The presence of an organism can be used as an indicator of water quality. Scientists in New Zealand have devised a scale from 1 to 10 to indicate an organism’s sensitivity to water quality. On the ...
Images
Krill
Tiny krill, present in their millions, are a keystone species in Antarctic marine ecosystems.
Animals, Marine, Krill
Images
Forest Service Hut
Protecting ecosystems sometimes means eradicating or culling introduced species such as deer, goats and rabbits.
As part of a campaign to clear the hills of deer, the Forest Service cut tracks and built huts for deer cullers. This one on Harper Pass, near Lake Sumner in Canterbury, was built in 1964. It was r...
Images
New Zealand Lesser Short-tailed Bat
Bats are part of Aotearoa's estimated 80,000 endemic species that contribute to the biodiversity of our planet.
Images
Anguilla dieffenbachia, Longfin eel Anguilla dieffenbachia, Longfin eel Anguilla dieffenbachia, Longfin eel
The New Zealand tuna (longfin and shortfin eel) plays an important role in our freshwater ecosystems.
Photo by Phil Bendle
Images
Reducing by-catch
Commercial fishing has a huge impact on marine biodiversity worldwide, however sustainable practices are being adopted.
The SLED (Sea Lion Exclusion Device) is designed to reduce the number of marine mammals such as seals and sea lions that are trapped in the trawl nets of squid-fishing boats. The device allows sea ...
Sets
ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY: INTRODUCTION
ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY: INTRODUCTION
The National Geographic defines an ecosystem (ecological system) as "a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and landscapes, work together to form a bubble ...
Sets
ECOSYSTEMS and BIODIVERSITY
ECOSYSTEMS and BIODIVERSITY
This story explores key ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots in Aotearoa and around the world. It looks at their significance and decline, as well as how to protect them for future generations.
Images
Copper Butterfly
Copper Butterfly
Copper Butterfly pollinating shrubby native daisy, Olearia cymbifolia near Island Saddle, Molesworth.
Images
Midge larva
Scientists use species like midge larva to assess the quality of water in our streams, rivers and lakes.
The presence of an organism can be used as an indicator of water quality. Scientists in New Zealand have devised a scale from 1 to 10 to indicate an organism’s sensitivity to water quality. On the ...
Images
Krill
Tiny krill, present in their millions, are a keystone species in Antarctic marine ecosystems.
Animals, Marine, Krill
Images
Forest Service Hut
Protecting ecosystems sometimes means eradicating or culling introduced species such as deer, goats and rabbits.
As part of a campaign to clear the hills of deer, the Forest Service cut tracks and built huts for deer cullers. This one on Harper Pass, near Lake Sumner in Canterbury, was built in 1964. It was r...
Images
New Zealand Lesser Short-tailed Bat
Bats are part of Aotearoa's estimated 80,000 endemic species that contribute to the biodiversity of our planet.
Images
Anguilla dieffenbachia, Longfin eel Anguilla dieffenbachia, Longfin eel Anguilla dieffenbachia, Longfin eel
The New Zealand tuna (longfin and shortfin eel) plays an important role in our freshwater ecosystems.
Photo by Phil Bendle
Images
Reducing by-catch
Commercial fishing has a huge impact on marine biodiversity worldwide, however sustainable practices are being adopted.
The SLED (Sea Lion Exclusion Device) is designed to reduce the number of marine mammals such as seals and sea lions that are trapped in the trawl nets of squid-fishing boats. The device allows sea ...

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