Feral goats feeding in indigenous shrubland, Southland. Photo: Jesse BythellThere are many threats to New Zealand ‘s indigenous plant life. These may be human induced or naturally occurring events. Some of the more obvious threats include competition from exotic plants and weeds and the damage caused by introduced browsing animals such as possums, goats, deer, rabbits and stock.
Here we provide information on the main causes for the continuing decline of New Zealand’s native plant life. These are the main reasons the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network came into being. Greater awareness of these causes of decline will lead to action to mitigate or eliminate them and therefore achieve more effective protection of New Zealand’s globally important flora.
Greater awareness of the threats posed by pest animals and weeds will hopefully result in more active management of those responsible for land management (both public and private) and greater care taken by industries such as nurseries which may unknowlingly exacerbate threats such as weeds. The public can engage with pest control at a local, regional or national level by taking part in pest managemement strategy and plan consultation.
Follow the links below for information about:
- Exotic plants
- Animal pests
- Other threats (climate changes, habitat conversion and collection)