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Native land cover by LCDB class

Current situation

In 2002, more than 13.3 million hectares of New Zealand’s land was covered by native land cover, as estimated by the Land Cover Database 2. This equates to 49.6 per cent of New Zealand’s total land area of 26.9 million hectares.

The area of native vegetation (excluding other native land cover) equates to 43.7 per cent (11.7 million hectares) of New Zealand’s total land area.

Native land cover in 2002 (LCDB 2)

Native land cover in 2002 (LCDB 2)

In 2006, about 62.4 per cent (8.3 million hectares) of New Zealand’s total native land cover was legally protected. This represents 35 per cent of New Zealand’s total land area. Of our native vegetation (excluding other native land cover), 63.7 per cent is legally protected.

Native land cover in 2002 using satellite imagery (LCDB 2) and the extent of legal protection

Land cover
Area in 2002 (Hectares)
Area legally protected in 2006
Hectares
Percentage of 2002 area (%)
Native forest
6,483,000
5,139,200
79.3
Other native vegetation
5,248,700
2,339,100
44.6
Total native vegetation cover
11,731,700
7,478,300
63.7
Other native land cover
1,589,100
835,100
52.6
Total native land cover
13,320,800
8,313,446
62.4
Non-native (modified)
13,500,800

Data source: Landcare Research (adapted from Table 12.4 in Environment New Zealand 2007).

Notes: Native forest includes the 'native forest' and 'mangrove' LCDB classes. Other native vegetation includes all native vegetation LCDB classes, except 'native forest' and 'mangroves'. 'Other native land cover' includes habitats such as waterways, alpine gravel and rock, and permanent snow and ice. See the expanded table for more information.

Native land cover by LCDB class in 2002 (expansion of table)

Source: Ministry for the Environment.

Want to know more?

Information on the types of legal protection in New Zealand, including trends in the area protected, is presented in native land cover with legal protection.

 

Recent trend

It is estimated that native land cover decreased by 16,500 hectares (0.12 per cent) between 1997 and 2002. This estimate included an increase of 700 hectares of non-vegetative native cover, such as sand and gravel, and a decrease of 17,200 hectares of native vegetative cover.

Changes in native land cover by LCDB class (expansion of table)

These changes either occurred through conversion of land to other uses or as a result of natural processes. For example, the changes in native forest cover were largely due to harvesting (82.5 per cent) and some conversion to exotic forestry (11 per cent).

Estimated change in native land cover between 1997 and 2002, using satellite imagery (LCDB 1 and LCDB 2)

Native land cover class
Area (hectares)
Percentage difference (%)
1997
2002
Native forest
6,485,400
6,483,000
–0.04
Other native vegetation
5,263,500
5,248,700
-0.28
Total native vegetation cover
11,748,900
11,731,700
–0.15
Other native land cover
1,588,400
1,589,100
0.04
Total native land cover
13,337,300
13,320,800
–0.12

Data source: Landcare Research (adapted from Table 12.4 in Environment New Zealand 2007).

Notes: Native forest includes the 'native forest' and 'mangrove' LCDB classes. Other native vegetation includes all native vegetation LCDB classes, except 'native forest' and 'mangroves'. 'Other native land cover' includes habitats such as waterways, alpine gravel and rock, and permanent snow and ice. See the expanded table for more information.

What can you do?

  • Attract native birds to your community - visit www.doc.govt.nz for tips on what trees and shrubs to plant in your garden.
  • Pest and weed problems? Visit www.landcare.org.nz to help identify and control unwanted pests on your land and help protect our native biodiversity.

 


This information has come from the latest national state of the environment report Environment New Zealand 2007.

 

Move to next variable reported on for native land cover: by LENZ class.

Last updated: December 2008