Indigenous Ecosystems of the Waikato

Waikato Ecosystems

This information details the 9 major ecosystems of the Waikato region.

The information contains descriptions of ecosystems and examples of the plant and animal species that are found in them. See the Restoration report page for more information.

The 9 Major Ecosystems of the Waikato Region

Ecosystems

Native Forest and Scrub

Tall evergreen rainforest clothed more than 70% of the Waikato Region prior to human settlement. Forest composition varied mainly with altitude, topography and latitude. Coastal

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Ecosystems

Wetlands (Swamps and Bogs)

Swamps and bogs are permanently or temporarily wet areas supporting plants and animals specially adapted to wet conditions. The types of plants and animals found

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Ecosystems

Streams, Rivers and Lakes

Streams, rivers and lakes are an integral part of the Waikato landscape and help form part of the Region’s identity with several iconic waterbodies. Four

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Ecosystems

Beaches and Dunes

Most of the Region’s western coasts consist of high-energy black sand beaches and dunes. The East Coast of the Region is more sheltered and beaches

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Ecosystems

Marine and Estuarine

The coastline of the Waikato Region covers approximately 1150km and includes the exposed west coast, the Firth of Thames and the Coromandel Peninsula. Estuaries are

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Ecosystems

Coastal Islands

Islands are essentially hilltops that are above current sea level. They have not always been as they are, as sea levels have varied drastically through

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Ecosystems

Geothermal

Geothermal features include steaming ground, boiling mud pools, fumaroles, and hot springs. Not all geothermal features are hot; some contain cooled geothermal water with a

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Ecosystems

Karst (Limestone)

The hill country of the Western Waikato is home to many karst ecosystems and landscapes. These karst landscapes are formed when water dissolves carbonate-containing rocks

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Ecosystems

Mountain Ecosytems

High mountain lands in the Waikato Region are found in the Tongaririo National Park and the Kaimanawa Ranges. The area is dominated by beech forest

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