Wētā are one of our most studied insects and are regarded as ‘bioindicators’ of the health of forest ecosystems. So when introduced predators – including mice – were removed from Maungatautari, the response of the local wētā population was followed closely by researchers. Female Auckland tree … [Read more...] about Study compares beetle and wētā responses to mammal eradication
Success stories
No easy answers, but eradication efforts ongoing for Resolution Island
When the Resolution Island Stoat Eradication Programme began in Dusky Sound, Fiordland in 2008 no-one said it would be easy and, 12 years later there are still stoats on Resolution. But Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger, Peter McMurtrie, won’t be giving up any time soon. Biodiversity … [Read more...] about No easy answers, but eradication efforts ongoing for Resolution Island
Putting the case for using Māori bird names
Should we be making a greater effort to use Māori bird names in science communication and environmental reporting – promoting their wider everyday use in the community? The answer seems an obvious yes! If fact we already have tūī, kea and kākā, for example. So what’s stopping us? Priscilla … [Read more...] about Putting the case for using Māori bird names
World’s most expensive feather symbolises Huia’s fate
How much would you pay for a feather? In June 2010 a single huia tail feather sold at auction in Auckland for NZ$8,000 – making it the world’s most expensive feather ever. The previous ‘record-holder’ was the American bald eagle, with an eagle feather selling for a mere NZ$4,000 at a US … [Read more...] about World’s most expensive feather symbolises Huia’s fate
Uncovering the secret life of urban mangroves
What do we know about New Zealand’s mangroves? Not nearly as much as we know about our forests and many other habitats. Their changing tidal environment makes mangroves a difficult location for research and perhaps we just don’t care about our mangroves as much as we do about our forest … [Read more...] about Uncovering the secret life of urban mangroves
Farm biodiversity map highlights falcons, kākahi and glowworms
Mark and Felicity Brough have created a biodiversity map of their sheep and beef farm at Paerua near Waitomo, in the central King Country. It shows where on the farm their resident falcons are nesting, which streams have kākahi (freshwater mussels), where longfin and shortfin tuna are found and … [Read more...] about Farm biodiversity map highlights falcons, kākahi and glowworms
Biodiversity and farming – achieving win-win outcomes
‘Rules stifle innovation,’ say researchers looking at how we can achieve win-win outcomes for pastoral farming and biodiversity conservation in New Zealand. Pastoral farming and the environment can both benefit from good farming practices. “To obtain win-win outcomes for biodiversity … [Read more...] about Biodiversity and farming – achieving win-win outcomes
Little bird has bend in beak
It hasn’t got the huge international fanbase of the kākāpō, the show-stopper song of a tūī, bellbird or kōkako or the national icon status of kiwi. Ngutuparore – the wrybill – is a modest little river plover that no-one takes much notice of. But the wrybill’s got something that’s not found in any … [Read more...] about Little bird has bend in beak
Little penguin breeding success includes ‘triple brooding’
Little penguins in Kaikōura have been doing their bit to try and keep species numbers buoyant – with multiple nesting per breeding season and some birds even resorting to a bit of partner-swapping. It all helped bring successful fledgling numbers up to 1.66 chicks per pair, according to researchers, … [Read more...] about Little penguin breeding success includes ‘triple brooding’
Greymouth course builds a passion for conservation work
Friday is a big day for 13 students at Greymouth High School – and not just because it’s the last school day before the weekend. On Fridays the students spend all day studying Conservation for NCEA Level 3 with teacher Lara Thompson. And that means they often get to study outside the … [Read more...] about Greymouth course builds a passion for conservation work