Name: Key areas for cetaceans, seals, and seabird biodiversity
Display Field: SCALE
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: The distinctive nature of New Zealand’s marine biodiversity has led to its identification by WWF as one of 238 ecoregions (collectively known as the Global 200) that are global priorities for conservation action. An ecoregion is a large area of land or water that contains a geographically distinct assemblage of natural communities that share a large majority of their species, ecological dynamics, and environmental conditions. Planning at the large scale of the ecoregion is consistent with an ecosystem-based approach to management. The ecoregion approach promotes conservation efforts in accordance with ecological processes and systems rather than along administrative boundaries, thereby creating new conservation opportunities.With the long-term aim of contributing to marine biodiversity conservation, WWFNew Zealand established the New Zealand Marine Ecoregion Initiative in 2003, which is part of WWF’s global approach to mobilise conservation efforts in priority regions of the world. In response to the need for an independent, scientific assessment of New Zealand’s marine biodiversity, WWF-New Zealand convened marine scientists for an expert workshop that was held from 27-28 May 2003. The 22 workshop participants, who came from around the New Zealand region, hold expertise in taxonomy, ecology, oceanography, and conservation. They collectively have specialist knowledge across a wide range of marine organisms and habitats in New Zealand.During the workshop participants divided into three subgroups that corresponded with the types of biota for which they had specialist knowledge: cetaceans, seals, and seabirds; fish; and benthic invertebrates, algae, and plants. Guided by a set of criteria that they had developed in the first session of the workshop, and furnished with bathymetric maps of the New Zealand region, the participants delineated key areas for the biodiversity of their respective biotic groups. Each area was coupled with a description of its physical and biological attributes, the state of information, and references to the literature. Biodiversity features that do not lend themselves readily to discrete geographic representation were reported, but were not illustrated on the maps. The oceanographers worked separately to report on the physical processes operating in New Zealand’s marine environment.Experts identified areas of deepwater emergence in Fiordland and Marlborough Sound where species are found at unusually shallow depths due to the unique physical characteristics of these environments. They noted the high productivity of the hydrographically complex Chatham Rise, the remarkable invertebrate diversity of Spirits Bay, and the expanding coverage of mangroves in northern New Zealand. Seabird experts highlighted the importance of the subantarctic and Chatham Islands as global hotspots for bird diversity, and the importance of migration corridors around New Zealand. Marine mammal experts marked the canyon and trench systems running from Kaikoura Canyon northwards as attractive foraging areas for deep-diving cetacean species, such as sperm whales. Overall, the work of the marine scientists shines a spotlight on key areas for biodiversity in New Zealand’s marine environment, contributes to the greater body of knowledge of the ecoregion’s marine biodiversity, and makes such knowledge available in a summarised and accessible form.The results of the workshop are constrained by the limited biological sampling that has been conducted in New Zealand’s marine environment. In addition to identifying areas that are thought to be important for marine biodiversity, workshop participants identified some of the gaps in the knowledge base. Much effort has been put into research on the spatial distribution of marine organisms, but there is still under-representation in sampling efforts, such as for all species and habitats deeper than 1,500m, and for specimens smaller than 2mm. Information deficiencies for ecosystem processes, such as trophic interactions, population dynamics, and recruitment are even greater. Participants expressed particular concern about the challenge of addressing information gaps given the scarcity and declining number of specialists with taxonomic expertise in New Zealand. Concern about the state of marine biodiversity knowledge in New Zealand became the focus of a workshop statement. During the workshop scientists also articulated ideas about what actions could be undertaken by the scientific community to promote conservation of marine biodiversity. Among the actions identified were: the need to train and recruit more competent taxonomists; the need to raise awareness of the marine environment among all New Zealanders; the need to better classify marine habitats; and the need for a well-supported national plan of marine exploration that better reflects New Zealand’s oceanic status globally. They recognised that scientists have pathways to key audiences, to which they can communicate their passion for the marine environment and translate it into action.Shining a spotlight on the biodiversity of New Zealand's marine ecoregion: http://www.marinenz.org.nz/nml/files/documents/4_nz_mpa/nzmpa_arnold_03.pdf
Copyright Text: Arnold, A. (ed.) 2004. Shining a spotlight on the biodiversity of New Zealand's marine ecoregion: Experts workshop on marine biodiversity, 27-28 May 2003, Wellington, New Zealand. WWF-New Zealand, Wellington.
Description: The distinctive nature of New Zealand’s marine biodiversity has led to its identifi cation by WWF as one of 238 ecoregions (collectively known as the Global 200) that are global priorities for conservation action. An ecoregion is a large area of land or water that contains a geographically distinct assemblage of natural communities that share a large majority of their species, ecological dynamics, and environmental conditions. Planning at the large scale of the ecoregion is consistent with an ecosystem-based approach to management. The ecoregion approach promotes conservation efforts in accordance with ecological processes and systems rather than along administrative boundaries, thereby creating new conservation opportunities.With the long-term aim of contributing to marine biodiversity conservation, WWFNew Zealand established the New Zealand Marine Ecoregion Initiative in 2003, which is part of WWF’s global approach to mobilise conservation efforts in priority regions of the world. In response to the need for an independent, scientific assessment of New Zealand’s marine biodiversity, WWF-New Zealand convened marine scientists for an expert workshop that was held from 27-28 May 2003. The 22 workshop participants, who came from around the New Zealand region, hold expertise in taxonomy, ecology, oceanography, and conservation. They collectively have specialist knowledge across a wide range of marine organisms and habitats in New Zealand.During the workshop participants divided into three subgroups that corresponded with the types of biota for which they had specialist knowledge: cetaceans, seals, and seabirds; fish; and benthic invertebrates, algae, and plants. Guided by a set of criteria that they had developed in the first session of the workshop, and furnished with bathymetric maps of the New Zealand region, the participants delineated key areas for the biodiversity of their respective biotic groups. Each area was coupled with a description of its physical and biological attributes, the state of information, and references to the literature. Biodiversity features that do not lend themselves readily to discrete geographic representation were reported, but were not illustrated on the maps. The oceanographers worked separately to report on the physical processes operating in New Zealand’s marine environment.Experts identified areas of deepwater emergence in Fiordland and Marlborough Sound where species are found at unusually shallow depths due to the unique physical characteristics of these environments. They noted the high productivity of the hydrographically complex Chatham Rise, the remarkable invertebrate diversity of Spirits Bay, and the expanding coverage of mangroves in northern New Zealand. Seabird experts highlighted the importance of the subantarctic and Chatham Islands as global hotspots for bird diversity, and the importance of migration corridors around New Zealand. Marine mammal experts marked the canyon and trench systems running from Kaikoura Canyon northwards as attractive foraging areas for deep-diving cetacean species, such as sperm whales. Overall, the work of the marine scientists shines a spotlight on key areas for biodiversity in New Zealand’s marine environment, contributes to the greater body of knowledge of the ecoregion’s marine biodiversity, and makes such knowledge available in a summarised and accessible form.The results of the workshop are constrained by the limited biological sampling that has been conducted in New Zealand’s marine environment. In addition to identifying areas that are thought to be important for marine biodiversity, workshop participants identified some of the gaps in the knowledge base. Much effort has been put into research on the spatial distribution of marine organisms, but there is still under-representation in sampling efforts, such as for all species and habitats deeper than 1,500m, and for specimens smaller than 2mm. Information deficiencies for ecosystem processes, such as trophic interactions, population dynamics, and recruitment are even greater. Participants expressed particular concern about the challenge of addressing information gaps given the scarcity and declining number of specialists with taxonomic expertise in New Zealand. Concern about the state of marine biodiversity knowledge in New Zealand became the focus of a workshop statement. During the workshop scientists also articulated ideas about what actions could be undertaken by the scientific community to promote conservation of marine biodiversity. Among the actions identified were: the need to train and recruit more competent taxonomists; the need to raise awareness of the marine environment among all New Zealanders; the need to better classify marine habitats; and the need for a well-supported national plan of marine exploration that better refl ects New Zealand’s oceanic status globally. They recognised that scientists have pathways to key audiences, to which they can communicate their passion for the marine environment and translate it into action.Shining a spotlight on the biodiversity of New Zealand's marine ecoregion: http://www.marinenz.org.nz/nml/files/documents/4_nz_mpa/nzmpa_arnold_03.pdf
Copyright Text: Arnold, A. (ed.) 2004. Shining a spotlight on the biodiversity of New Zealand's marine ecoregion: Experts workshop on marine biodiversity, 27-28 May 2003, Wellington, New Zealand. WWF-New Zealand, Wellington.
Name: Key areas for benthic invertebrate, algal, and plant biodiversity
Display Field: SCALE
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: The distinctive nature of New Zealand’s marine biodiversity has led to its identification by WWF as one of 238 ecoregions (collectively known as the Global 200) that are global priorities for conservation action. An ecoregion is a large area of land or water that contains a geographically distinct assemblage of natural communities that share a large majority of their species, ecological dynamics, and environmental conditions. Planning at the large scale of the ecoregion is consistent with an ecosystem-based approach to management. The ecoregion approach promotes conservation efforts in accordance with ecological processes and systems rather than along administrative boundaries, thereby creating new conservation opportunities.With the long-term aim of contributing to marine biodiversity conservation, WWFNew Zealand established the New Zealand Marine Ecoregion Initiative in 2003, which is part of WWF’s global approach to mobilise conservation efforts in priority regions of the world. In response to the need for an independent, scientific assessment of New Zealand’s marine biodiversity, WWF-New Zealand convened marine scientists for an expert workshop that was held from 27-28 May 2003. The 22 workshop participants, who came from around the New Zealand region, hold expertise in taxonomy, ecology, oceanography, and conservation. They collectively have specialist knowledge across a wide range of marine organisms and habitats in New Zealand.During the workshop participants divided into three subgroups that corresponded with the types of biota for which they had specialist knowledge: cetaceans, seals, and seabirds; fish; and benthic invertebrates, algae, and plants. Guided by a set of criteria that they had developed in the first session of the workshop, and furnished with bathymetric maps of the New Zealand region, the participants delineated key areas for the biodiversity of their respective biotic groups. Each area was coupled with a description of its physical and biological attributes, the state of information, and references to the literature. Biodiversity features that do not lend themselves readily to discrete geographic representation were reported, but were not illustrated on the maps. The oceanographers worked separately to report on the physical processes operating in New Zealand’s marine environment.Experts identified areas of deepwater emergence in Fiordland and Marlborough Sound where species are found at unusually shallow depths due to the unique physical characteristics of these environments. They noted the high productivity of the hydrographically complex Chatham Rise, the remarkable invertebrate diversity of Spirits Bay, and the expanding coverage of mangroves in northern New Zealand. Seabird experts highlighted the importance of the subantarctic and Chatham Islands as global hotspots for bird diversity, and the importance of migration corridors around New Zealand. Marine mammal experts marked the canyon and trench systems running from Kaikoura Canyon northwards as attractive foraging areas for deep-diving cetacean species, such as sperm whales. Overall, the work of the marine scientists shines a spotlight on key areas for biodiversity in New Zealand’s marine environment, contributes to the greater body of knowledge of the ecoregion’s marine biodiversity, and makes such knowledge available in a summarised and accessible form.Shining a spotlight on the biodiversity of New Zealand's marine ecoregion: http://www.marinenz.org.nz/nml/files/documents/4_nz_mpa/nzmpa_arnold_03.pdf
Copyright Text: Arnold, A. (ed.) 2004. Shining a spotlight on the biodiversity of New Zealand's marine ecoregion: Experts workshop on marine biodiversity, 27-28 May 2003, Wellington, New Zealand. WWF-New Zealand, Wellington.