New Zealand’s nature is unique, in fact many native species are found nowhere else on earth. Several factors contributed to make New Zealand’s natural world so special.
People from all over the world visit New Zealand to see and experience the country’s special nature. However, I think most people are coming for the amazing scenery, great vistas, beaches, and mountains. Some visitors are aware of the unique flora and fauna of the country as well, such as the kiwi and wetas. The islands of New Zealand are a true wonderland of amazing landscape and special plants and animals.
What Are The Reasons New Zealand’s Nature Is Unique?
Throughout the world islands are home to unique plants and animals. Some animals grow huge and others become flightless. Islands are famous for hosting strange or exotic animals, such as the Komodo dragon. The Galapagos Islands helped Darwin formulate his origin of species because the species on those islands were so different.
Islands are not just unique for the animals that are present, but also for the animals that are missing. For example, New Zealand has only two land mammals (both bats) and no snakes.
A simple explanation for why New Zealand’s nature is unique is evolution. There are four main reasons that allowed for the plants and animals of New Zealand to evolve in their unique ways: 1) isolation over a long period of time, 2) scarcity of ground predators, 3) diverse geography and climate, and 4) radiation of species.
Isolation Over A Long Time
Millions of years ago the land that became New Zealand was part of the giant southern land mass called Gondwanaland. Then about 80 million years ago the land that became New Zealand broke off and became separated.
The islands of New Zealand have been isolated from any other land mass since that time, 80 million years! That is an incredibly long time. That is millions upon millions of years over which the plants and animals of New Zealand changed and evolved.
Scarcity Of Ground Predators
The lack of ground predators is a big factor in why New Zealand’s nature is unique. The only mammals on the islands for those millions of years were a few bats.
Since the birds, reptiles, and insects didn’t have to worry about or fear ground predators they were able to evolve in unique ways. Some, such as the Kakapo (the world’s largest parrot) grew huge. Others, such as the kiwi, became flightless.
Diverse Geography And Climate
The islands of New Zealand run in a north to south direction. The far north is subtropical and the far south is temperate. Along the length of the country are many mountains.
This created a country full of many different types of ecosystems, from beaches to alpine areas. Such a diverse geography and climate make lots of habitats and niches waiting to be occupied by plants and animals.
Radiation Of Species
Radiation of species means that one species evolves into many species that occupy different niches in the environment.
Many NZ species found opportunities to radiate and evolve over time to fill these many niches and habitats. This was also possible because of the absence of mammals, allowing some birds to occupy niches usually held by mammals.