Embedded Files
Outdoor Education…Character development through the outdoors
Air Pollution
Air Pollution
Air pollution is a mix of particles and gases that can reach harmful concentrations both outside and indoors. Its effects can range from higher disease risks to rising temperatures. Soot, smoke, mold, pollen, methane and carbon dioxide are just a few examples of common pollutants.
Air pollution has major effects on health in New Zealand. In 2016, human made air pollution was associated with an estimated:
1,277 premature deaths (27.2 per 100,000 people)
236 cardiac hospitalisations (5.0 per 100,000 people)
440 respiratory hospitalisations (9.4 per 100,000 people)
1.49 million restricted activity days (31,839 per 100,000 people)
Climate Change
Climate Change
Climate change describes a change in the average conditions — such as temperature and rainfall — in a region over a long period of time. NASA scientists have observed Earth’s surface is warming, and many of the warmest years on record have happened in the past 20 years.
Based on the latest climate projections for New Zealand, by the end of this century we are likely to experience:
higher temperatures
rising sea levels
more frequent extreme weather events i.e. droughts (especially in the east of New Zealand) and floods
a change in rainfall patterns i.e. increased summer rainfall in the north and east of the North Island while increased winter rainfall in many parts of the South Island.
Deforestation
Deforestation
Around 44% of the total land area of New Zealand has been cleared to make 11.9 million hectares of agricultural land.
Land use change and forestry are amongst the most significant contributors of greenhouse gas emissions.
Forestry came to be seen as main tool in meeting New Zealand's Kyoto Protocol targets. Accordingly, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation programmes have been implemented.
Endangered Species
Endangered Species
During the relatively short occupation of New Zealand by humans a large number of species have been made extinct due to predation by introduced species, hunting, and the loss of habitat.
Many extent species are under threat because of past and ongoing human activities. More recent examples are the Hectors and Maui's Dolphins, which are under threat from the fishing industry.
Introduced Species
Introduced Species
A number of introduced species, some of which have become invasive species, have been added to New Zealand's native flora and fauna.
Both deliberate and accidental introductions have been made from the time of the first human settlement, with several waves of Polynesian people at some time before the year 1300, followed by Europeans after 1769.
Almost without exception, the introduced species have been detrimental to the native flora and fauna but some, such as sheep and cows and the clover upon which they feed, now form a large part of the economy of New Zealand.
Development
Development
The increasing development of infrastructure throughout the New Zealand is an ongoing conservation issue.
Recently, a private company, applied to the Department of Conservation for a concession to drive a monorail and permanent construction/maintenance road through the Snowden Forest Conservation Area. This area is part of a World Heritage Area; unique due to its wilderness and biodiversity. The full Disney-esque proposal would involve a boat (across Lake Wakitipu), then buses (Von River and Mararoa valleys), and then a 41km long monorail; constructed for the exclusive use of the company's clients. The monorail leg would end at Te Anau Downs (an isolated spot towards the northern end of Te Anau Lake where the company owns a hotel/restaurant). Milford Sound is then another hour and a half by bus.
Smuggling
Smuggling
New Zealand has a number of rare and endangered species and there have been cases of wildlife smuggling. Some prosecutions for attempted smuggling include:
A German tourist was fined $12,000 for attempting to smuggle Northland green geckos out of the country in his underwear.
Two Czech botanists were convicted in 2004 of attempting to smuggle 363 wild plants, including 93 endemic orchids.
In January 2010 a German man who tried to smuggle 44 live geckos and skinks out of the country in his underwear was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail. He was caught trying to board a flight at Christchurch Airport with the animals.
In March 2010 two people were jailed for 18 weeks after taking jewelled geckos from the Otago Peninsula. They were arrested after a German man was found in Christchurch with 16 geckos in tubes in his backpack. He was sentenced to 15 weeks in prison.
Two Germans were jailed for four and a half months in March 2011 for attempting to smuggle jewelled geckos out of the country, and in May 2012 a German man was jailed for 16 weeks after being found guilty of hunting and possessing four jewelled geckos.
1080 Poison
1080 Poison
The use of 1080 poison is a contentious issue.
1080 poison is used with carrots and cereal pellets to control the Common Brushtail Possum, an introduced animal pest.
European settlers aiming to establish a wild source for food and fibre and fur pelts for clothing introduced the common brushtail possum from Australia to New Zealand in the 1850s; by the 1980s the peak population had reached an estimated 60-70 million.
Through control measures, by 2009 the New Zealand population had been reduced to an estimated 30 million.
Possums are controlled through a combination of trapping, ground-baiting and, where other methods are impractical, aerial treament with 1080 poison.
The introduction of possums has been ecologically damaging because the native vegetation has evolved in the absence of mammalian omnivores. Possums selectively browse native vegetation causing particular damage to broadleaved trees, notably Metrosideros species including rata.
This leads to competition for food with native forest birds, changes in forest composition, and eventually canopy collapse. Possums are opportunists and will eat the eggs of native birds.
Kauri Dieback
Kauri Dieback
Kauri dieback is the deadly kauri disease caused by Phytophthora taxon Agathis (or PTA). It is specific to New Zealand kauri and can kill trees of all ages.
Microscopic spores in the soil infect kauri roots and damage the tissues that carry nutrients within the tree. Infected trees show a range of symptoms including yellowing of foliage, loss of leaves, canopy thinning, dead branches and lesions that bleed gum at the base of the trunk.
The oospores are like the 'seeds' of this disease, with a hard outer shell they can sit dormant in soil for up to three years or more. These spores live in soil and are spread with soil movement. Dirty footwear, animals, equipment and vehicles are responsible for the large scale spread of this disease - between different areas of kauri.
The introduction of spores to an area of kauri can lead to a new area of infection
Nearly all infected kauri die. In the past 10 years, kauri dieback has killed thousands of kauri in New Zealand.
Scientists are currently working to find control tools for this disease but there is no known treatment at this time.
When you are around kauri:
Make sure shoes, tyres and equipment are cleaned to remove all visible soil and plant material before AND after visiting kauri forest
Please use cleaning stations installed on major tracks by scrubbing to remove all soil and spray with disinfectant.
Stay on the track and off kauri roots
Keep your dog on a leash at all times.
We all can help - tourists, hunters, trappers, trampers, runners, bikers, walkers. We all need to make it happen, rather than hope 'someone else' will do it.
Even Giants Die - all about kauri dieback in NZ.mp4Report abuse