Data - Page 7

Land cover describes the extent of vegetation, water bodies, built environment, and bare natural surfaces (eg gravel and rock) across New Zealand. Measuring the composition and changes in land cover can help us better understand the pressures that different land uses are placing on the biodiversity and functioning of ecosystems.

Column headings:
area_ha = area of land cover measured in hectares

This dataset relates to the "Land cover" measure on the Environmental Indicators, Te taiao Aotearoa website.

Land use that results in a change from indigenous to exotic cover can cause biodiversity loss and reduce functioning of ecosystems. Using more land for agriculture, forestry, and urbanisation is the main driver reducing indigenous land cover across New Zealand.

Column headings:
area_ha = area of land cover measured in hectares

This dataset relates to the "Land use" measure on the Environmental Indicators, Te taiao Aotearoa website.

Mast-seeding events occur when plant species (eg New Zealand flax or trees such as the beech species) produce very large amounts of seed, usually every 4–6 years. These events are vital for the survival of some indigenous bird species. Unfortunately, the increase in food supply also prompts a dramatic increase in the numbers of mice, rats, and stoats (a population irruption). In the years after mast-seeding events, rats and stoats target birds and other prey.

This dataset relates to the "Modelled rat and stoat population responses to mast seeding events" measure on the Environmental Indicators, Te taiao Aotearoa website.

Deer, goats, and possums are animal pests in New Zealand. These pests prefer to eat some tree species more than others. In the long term, the targeted species may become locally extinct and nationally much rarer than less palatable species. Resulting changes in forest composition may have profound effects on other plant and animal species. The pest impacts on a particular tree species may affect the available habitat for and food source of those other plants and animals.

This dataset relates to the "Pest impacts on indigenous trees" measure on the Environmental Indicators, Te taiao Aotearoa website.