Land Data

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.

Livestock numbers reflect changes in the number of farmed beef and dairy cattle, deer, and sheep across New Zealand. Livestock farming is a widespread land use in this country. It is important to monitor this use because it can affect the indigenous biodiversity, soil health, and water quality.

Column headings:
numbers = numbers of animals

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

Farm size describes the area of large commercial properties (registered for goods and services tax) that farm crops and/or livestock. It is important to measure the extent of these agricultural activities because their size influences the extent of their impacts on soil health and water quality.

Column headings:
area_ha = total area of farming activity measured in hectares

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

Farm numbers describes the number of large commercial properties (registered for goods and services tax) that farm crops and/or livestock. It is important to measure the number of large farms involved in these agricultural activities because their extent determines their impacts on soil health and water quality.

Column headings:
num_farms = number of farms

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

Eight indigenous tree species, spanning a range of ecological niches, were surveyed twice (between 2002 and 2014) as part of a vegetation monitoring programme. The data from these surveys can be used to assess changes in tree populations. Monitoring the status and trends of these widespread tree species helps us detect large-scale, long-term changes and problems for our forest ecosystems.

This dataset relates to the "Status of widespread indigenous trees" measure on the Environmental Indicators, Te taiao Aotearoa website.

Eight indigenous tree species, spanning a range of ecological niches, were surveyed twice (between 2002 and 2014) as part of a vegetation monitoring programme. The data from these surveys can be used to assess changes in tree populations. Monitoring the status and trends of these widespread tree species helps us detect large-scale, long-term changes and problems for our forest ecosystems. Surveys assess the average number of trees per hectare.

This dataset relates to the "Status of widespread indigenous trees" measure on the Environmental Indicators, Te taiao Aotearoa website.

New Zealand’s indigenous and exotic forests absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. As forests grow, the carbon stored in them increases. These carbon stocks help offset greenhouse gas emissions from sources such as agriculture, energy production, and transport.

Column headings:
type = vegetation type of forest
vol_tC = volume of carbon in tonnes

This dataset relates to the "Estimated forest carbon stocks" measure on the Environmental Indicators, Te taiao Aotearoa website.

New Zealand’s indigenous and exotic forests absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. As forests grow, the carbon stored in them increases. These carbon stocks help offset greenhouse gas emissions from sources such as agriculture, energy production, and transport.

Column headings:
type = vegetation type of forest
vol_tC = volume of carbon in tonnes

This dataset relates to the "Estimated forest carbon stocks" 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.

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.