Environment & Ecology – Page 8 – Great Barrier Island News

Freshly exposed bedrock at the terminus of Brewster Glacier in March 2023. Andrew Lorrey, CC BY-SA

Environment & Ecology

Frozen in time: old paintings and new photographs reveal some NZ glaciers may soon be extinct

By Andrew Lorrey, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research; George Hook, Canterbury Museum; Lauren Vargo, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington, and Shaun Eaves, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington As the austral summer draws…

Despite having no official basis, the Kowhai flower is commonly considered the National flower of New Zealand. Sophora microphylla is a spectacular, semi-evergreen, spreading tree, particularly in spring when it bursts into deep yellow flower. Observed on the shores of Lake Te Anau, New Zealand. Photo / Alan Vernon

Environment & Ecology

Plants are Flowering Earlier than Ever – Here’s How they Sense the Seasons

Despite having no official basis, the Kōwhai flower is commonly considered the National flower of New Zealand. Sophora microphylla is a spectacular, semi-evergreen, spreading tree, particularly in spring when it bursts into deep yellow flower. Observed on the shores of…

More than 100 tonnes of caulerpa washed up in this Great Barrier Island Bay after Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo / Sid Ware / Ministry for Primary Industries

Environment & Ecology

Great Barrier to Benefit from $5 Million Funding Against Caulerpa

In a move to protect the marine ecosystems of Great Barrier Island and the wider Hauraki Gulf, the government has announced a $5 million funding initiative aimed at combating the invasive seaweed, caulerpa. Exotic caulerpa poses a threat to biodiversity…

Environment & Ecology

20°C seems the optimal temperature for life on Earth to thrive – what does this mean in a warming world

Have you ever wondered about the optimal temperature for life on Earth? For humans, 20°C is comfortable. Any warmer and we work less efficiently because releasing heat requires energy.

This bright-green invasive caulerpa seaweed is smothering the delicate marine ecosystem on Great Barrier Island. Photo / Glenn Edney

Environment & Ecology

300+ Boaties Ignore Aotea Caulerpa Ban

In the ongoing battle against the invasive seaweed Caulerpa on Aotea, more than 300 instances of vessels violating Controlled Area Notices (CANs) have been reported over the past three summers, John Walsh, Biosecurity New Zealand’s response director told AoteaGBI.news. The statistics…

The main Antipodes Island. Photo / Claire Concannon / RNZ

Subantarctic Islands’ Wildlife Thrives After Million Dollar Mouse Project

These subantarctic islands are wild and remote – some 860km southeast of Rakiura Stewart Island. Their isolation, in a far-flung corner of the South Pacific, means they’re some of the most untouched islands in the world.

Wildfire researchers at Scion say fire conditions are worsening and there are more extreme fire days each year. Photo / Scion via RNZ

Environment & Ecology

Summer Returns, So Too the Fire Risk

Wildfire researchers at Scion say fire conditions are worsening and there are more extreme fire days each year. Photo / Scion By Katie Kenny, RNZ Last summer seemed to be dominated by flooding but this year, fires are making headlines. A state…

Environment & Ecology

Suction Dredging Trial to Target Caulerpa

Suction dredging is about to begin in a battle against the highly invasive caulerpa seaweed taking hold at Aotea, Great Barrier Island.

Hauraki Gulf from Rangitoto Island. Photo / Mike Locke / CC

Environment & Ecology

DOC Ramps Up Patrols to Enforce Dog Bans on Pest-Free Hauraki Gulf Islands

Department of Conservation (DOC) officials are stepping up patrols in response to an increase in reports of dogs on the pest-free islands in the Hauraki Gulf. The action aims to enforce regulations designed to protect the unique environments of the…

Environment & Ecology

Freshwater Drinking Stations in Move to Ditch Plastic Bottles

Auckland Council and the Local Board has introduced three new freshwater drinking stations across Great Barrier Island in a bid to reduce plastic bottle usage and waste. The stations, located at Claris Airport, near The Currach Irish Pub, and beside…