Biodiversity in Canterbury
Lake Tennyson
Canterbury is the largest region in New Zealand and boasts a unique range of ecosystems and habitats, from the mountains to the sea. These diverse habitats, from mountains to foothills, rock outcrops, rivers, streams, plains, estuaries, wetlands and dune systems, support an array of plants, animals and micro-organisms.
Even so, Canterbury – like the rest of New Zealand – has lost a lot of its native species, habitats and ecosystems. The most significant losses have occurred where human development has been most intensive, and this continues to be the case. Less than 10% native plant cover remains in Canterbury's lowland and coastal areas, and in some of these areas less than 1% remains. It is here that we risk losing the remaining plants, animals and habitats. Other areas at risk are those where there is rapid change in the way we are using the land.
Find out more about the state of biodiversity in our terrestrial (land), freshwater and coastal environments, and some of the key threats to our remaining biodiversity.
Special Features of Canterbury's Biodiversity
Despite the biodiversity losses that have occurred in the past, there remain a range of habitats, ecosystems and species that make this region special, and which highlight the importance of on-going initiatives to maintain and enhance biodiversity in the region. Many of our region's special features are indicated on the map below.
