What is ecological connectivity?

 

'Connectivity' refers to how easy it is for things to move across a landscape. Connectivity is important for our native species, as well as natural processes such as water flow and nutrient cycles.

 

Connectivity-needs differ for each species, depending on their behaviour, habitat preferences, and physical abilities. A tui might be able to fly over a new urban development, but a piwakawaka (fantail) might not. 

 

In our case, as kōkako are unable to fly over large, open areas, this Ecological Connectivity Strategy is an important step towards mapping and identifying the current and potential connectivity of forest ecosystems, to help influence management decisions, and support the long-term sustainability of kōkako in the Bay of Plenty 

 

You can learn more about Connectivity Strategies here, as well as watch a tutorial on how to use them.

​

Click here to experience the Western Bay of Plenty Ecological Connectivity Strategy interactive map.

​

We recommend that you turn off all the map layers on the left, except for the kōkako layer, when you first open this map. You can then turn the layers on and off one-by-one to view the different map features.

 

Thank you to Bay Conservation Alliance and Western Bay of Plenty District Council for their support with developing and hosting this strategy. 

.