In this text I will be discussing the relationship between the numerous flora and fauna in the New Zealand Bush Ecosystem. There are various species of flora and fauna; some species are introduced whereas some are native to New Zealand. These species have an interesting relationship. As I already mentioned, I'll be stating their relationships with each other.
The New Zealand ecosystem has different varieties of flora. They have native species and introduced species as well. Some of their native Flora species include Nikau ( Nz’s only native palm tree), Silver Fern, and New Zealand’s largest tree the Kauri. Introduced Flora species include beech trees, coastal cress, lancewood, and many more. The Nikau are a Native species and they usually grow up to 10-15 meters high. The Nikau provide nectar to bees, who then turn the nectar into honey. This gives us food sources and is supplied country wide. Lancewood is an introduced floral species and they grow up to 15 meters tall, the stem is very thick, and they have unusual sharp leaves growing from it. They’re actually three types of lancewood and the rarest one is called fierce lancewood because of it’s shark tooth projections along the leaf margin as stated before.
New Zealand Ecosystems have a very diverse type of fauna. Just like flora, the fauna in New Zealand both have native species and introduced species as well. Some introduced species include cockatoos,possums, and stoats. native fauna species include the Kiwi, Kea, and Moa. The possums are a fauna species that were introduced back in 1837 but did not survive for very long. The population shot up in the 1980s because they began to adapt to the environment here in the New Zealand bush ecosystem. Possums like to eat birds, insects, and flower leaves. Possums are very small creatures with lots of furry skin, and they’re skin was usually good for hunting purposes. Possums usually live up to 9 years. The Kea are a native bird species in New Zealand and they are a very colourful looking parrot bird. The Kea are omnivorous, foods they eat include insect larvae, fruits, and nectar. Their usual habitat is a native forest with lots of trees. The Kea is a parrot bird, with a curved beak, sharp claws, and colourful feathers. Astonishingly Kea birds can live up to 50 years. Kea are also an endangered species. They’re estimated population is said to be only around 6000 birds left.
New Zealand Ecosystems have very complementing relationships between flora and fauna. For example, the green geckos camouflage themselves on top of green leaves. This is kind of a defensive mechanism because this helps them hide from predators. The main relationship I'll be talking about is between the Grey Warblers and the Shining Cuckoo. Shining Cuckoos normally lay their eggs in the Grey Warblers nest. The reason being for this is that when the babies are born they wouldn’t worry about feeding them because the Grey Warbler will do that for them. The young Cuckoos would normally depend on their foster parents before finally becoming independent. Surprisingly Cuckoos can eat toxic insects like the hairy caterpillar. No egg rejection is shown from the Grey Warbler to the shining cuckoo because their “Momma Bear Mode” is turned on and makes them want to protect. This relationship is very weird and different but the Shining Cuckoos have been doing it as a resort of a surviving mechanism. The relationship between these two species is very peculiar.
So in conclusion both the flora and fauna species are dependent on one another to survive. They both need each other to flourish and thrive in the ecosystem.
