New Zealand Learning Adventures
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Biology

Fauna & Flora in New Zealand
Generally, different zones offer distinctly different aspects for interested groups to experience.

Giant Moa (Canterbury Museum)

Among the many different forests, mountains and coasts we can explore the way plants depend on each other and see also competition, needs, regeneration sequences, specialised survival adaptations, carbon cycle and global warming phenomena. We take a look at  management systems, National Park's Act replanting programmes and natural regeneration processes after glacier recession and landslides.

Unique Birds
Most animals are birds have evolved to meet the special New Zealand food and few predators. Visits to animal parks help us see and understand the reasons for these special adaptations.  Of particular interests are the Kiwi, Kea and Moa.

Unique Plants
Because of the lack of herbivores and a wide range of weather conditions we find many unique plants.  Interested groups study the way plants have adapted to meet severe conditions including cold, snow, wind, water and strong sun.  We explore coasts, swamps, forests and mountains to view plants competing for space and life giving forces. Studies look at different species from giant forest trees, through all the interesting plants in the various rain forest layers to the decomposition process of the soil they all rely on.  Coastal dune plants, alpine plants, fungi, and aquatic plants also offer information of interest.  We see explore how plants claim back land cleared by volcanic and glacier eradication.

Other native life forms
These include, reptiles, frogs and insects.

Exotic life forms now arrive and impact the balance
Large numbers of different highly mobile and competitive animals and plants have been recently introduced by humans.  We explore how these are impacting on the native species and follow the many projects, laws and policies in place to reduce the impact of these species on the unique native life forms that developed in a different world for 75 million years. 

Learning through experience
We visit areas of several different microclimates, nature parks, and information centres where lectures and displays are available. Worksheets, notes and evening reviews can be incorporated as required.

See also

Rainforests

Mount Cook Studies

Alpine Vegetation

Alpine Conservation

General Conservation