Chapter+3+Questions

=Chapter 3 Questions-= ====﻿1. There are several predators that are not native to the region that are threating the lives of other animals. A few of these animals include : the himalayan tahr, stoat, sea squirt, varroa destructor, ferret, and asain paper wasp. An example of this is recently the ferrets have been killing a substantial about of the rabbit population.====

2. New Zealands NPP and GPP involves many things including: glaciers, fiords, mountains, plains, hillsides, subtropical forests, and volcanic plateau. Because of New Zealands high rainfall rates, the have lush flora. It has the beautiful kowhai trees with big yellor flowers, and on the North Island they have the pohutukawa tree which has bright red flowers that bloom during decemeber. This tree eventually was coined the Christmas tree of New Zealand. Probably the best known plant of New Zealand is the the koru. Also known as the ‘silver fern’, it has become a national symbol. Koru grow wild, and are found in moist bush areas throughout New Zealand. Below is a picture of the silver fern. 3. Some producers found in New Zealand are trees, ferns, and flowering plants. Also the silver fern native to New Zealand. Some trees include the kowhai and the pohutukawa trees. Some of the herbivores found in New Zealand involve the Kākāpo, goat, and white-tailed deer. Some species of birds once made up 50% of the herbivore population but other animals are now on the rise. Some carnivores in New Zealand include the south atlantic elephant-seal, hooker's sea lion, and the antipodean fur seal. Some common omnivores found in New Zealand are pigs and crows. Some examples of decomposers are worms, molds, fungus, and bacteria. Some examples of scavengers are sharks, crabs, and vultures.

4. Some effects humans are having on the nutrient cycles are driving cars which emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is bad because the more carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere the warmer the atmosphere will be. Another bad thing is farming because the chemicals farmers use to farm do not get disposed of properly and end up in water supply which can kill fish and filter into larger bodies of water and harm the ecosystem.

5. New Zealand is doing things to study the ecosystem and to better the environment. They are researching things that they can do such as lowering emissions (by reducing energy–use in industry and transport, improving the efficiency of resource use, and minimising waste) and neutralising the emissions that cannot be reduced. Protecting and enhancing reserves of carbon stored in soils and vegetation are key factors. They are researching many different aspects and have a general manager and a team in charge of research of all the different areas. The groupings of what they are researching is shown below :