Nature of Alpine Ecosystems in Temperate Mountains of New Zealand

Abstract

New Zealand harbors the most significant alpine ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere outside of South America, with a biota characterized by high levels of endemism. However, NZ’s alpine areas are geologically recent and tectonically highly active, which has led to allopatric speciation and many poorly understood species complexes among plants, invertebrates and reptiles. NZ’s alpine biota has had to adapt to climatic unpredictability so possibly may be less affected by future climate change. The greatest threats to NZ alpine ecosystems are invasion by introduced pest species, most notably cold tolerant conifers, ungulates, and rodents.