Tags / biodiversity
Possums in dryland ecosystems
Al Glen summarises some interesting aspects of possum research on Molesworth Station The introduced brushtail possum is a major environmental and agricultural pest in New Zealand. Little informat Continue Reading...
The 24th annual New Zealand Fungal Foray
Every autumn, enthusiasts have an expedition to some part of New Zealand in search of threatened native fungi, exotic fungal weeds, edible or poisonous, colourful or drab. One of the key aims is Continue Reading...
Avondale Spider
The large harmless spider found around the Avondale area of Auckland is an Australian huntsman spider. This spider found its way to New Zealand in the early 1920s, with the first specimen found Continue Reading...
Relocating the Havelock North harakeke
Sue Scheele reflects on finding welcoming, new homes for lots of important flax bushes (harakeke). This winter, the aging Rene Orchiston flax collection at Havelock North was relocated and rev Continue Reading...
Shingle beaches
These sea-washed, river-washed stony sweeps are another of New Zealand’s naturally rare ecosystems. Shingle beaches may be familiar to many of us picnicking and fishing at the coast. But ... Continue Reading...
Feral cats on Pitt Island
Feral cats, mice and ‘men’ inhabit Pitt Island, the second largest island (5,700 ha) of the Chathams. Bruce Warburton notes that, without wild cats, more native bird species might also become inh Continue Reading...
BioBlitz – getting up close and personal with biodiversity
Young and old are fascinated, horrified and enchanted by what lives in their urban backyards. People discover creatures they may never have imagined. BioBlitz brings the environment a Continue Reading...
Poor Knights Island has some special insects
The Poor Knights weevil adults are unusually long-lived (for a weevil anyway) The adult of the Poor Knights weevil, Hadramphus pittospori, has been recorded as living for 3 years: mos Continue Reading...
Domed bogs (Sporadanthus)
Domed bogs are dominated by jointed, giant cane rushes called Sporadanthus. They belong in the Restionaceae family, and when these restiad species break down, they form peat (Sphagnum mosses and Continue Reading...
TB and pest management on Molesworth
Ivor Yockney and several wild sentinel pigs were (slightly reluctant) film stars in TVNZ's 'Country Calendar'. Last autumn, Country Calendar were filming the huge Molesworth cattle muster an Continue Reading...