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New Zealand’s unique ecosystems – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. This question bank provides an initial list of questions about our hidden taonga, New Zealand’s unique ecosystems, and places where their answers can be found.

The article New Zealand’s unique ecosystems – introduction has links to further resources and student activities.

Q. How did New Zealand end up with so many species that aren’t found anywhere else in the world?

  • New Zealand’s unique ecology

Q. Why do scientists need to collect and preserve insects?

  • Landcare Research’s insect collection

Q. How do scientists tell different insects apart?

  • Naming species

Q. If a new caterpillar is found, how can we find out what it grows into?

  • Fred the Thread

Q. Wasps eat honeydew in the native beech forests. What is the potential impact of this on our native species?

  • Honeydew ecosystem

  • Honeydew: The Food of the Ngahere

Q. How did Māori use a fungus to make the moko ink black?

  • Vegetable caterpillar

Q. Are fungi a plant or an animal? How would you decide?

  • Making a case for the 5th kingdom

Q. Should we conserve a native fungus that is causing disease on an endangered plant?

  • Conserving New Zealand’s fungi

Glossary

Published: 30 April 2009
Referencing Hub articles

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