19 Feb 2018

Tui, kererū and bats are among the precious fauna largely lost from Christchurch but work is under way to lure some of these special species back.

Lincoln University senior tutor Mike Bowie warns that a dwindling natural habitat has resulted in a catastrophic decline in the range and abundance of native fauna and flora in the city and surrounds.

However, Mr Bowie believes Cantabrians can tempt those species to return.

He even hopes one day to welcome back the long-tailed bat.

“Bringing the long-tailed bat back is possible, just not easy,” Mr Bowie says. 

He will address the area’s biodiversity issue and outline solutions during a talk presented by the Friends of the Botanic Gardens on Sunday, 25 February at 4pm.

Creating the right habitat may attract the kererū to the city.

Creating the right habitat may attract the kererū to the city.

Boosting pollination, pest control, water filtration, and the protection and creation of a native habitat just may help attract all those species back into city yards and local surrounds.

“Deans Bush in Riccarton gives us an idea of how the wetter areas of the Canterbury Plains once looked,” Mr Bowie says.

“However, less than 0.5 per cent of the original native vegetation on the plains remains, and lost with that habitat were most of our birds, insects and lizards.”

The region’s unique biodiversity is very vulnerable to outside forces. However, many of these species can be restored – if the native habitat is restored.

“For example, the bellbird, tui and kereru could be reinstated, if we could provide the habitat,” he says.

Several environmental groups are providing the framework for landowners to plant native green stepping stones – or corridors – for birds and insects.

“Landowners can play a role in influencing the native fauna visiting their backyards by planting the appropriate species,” Mr Bowie says.

He encourages residents to take urgent steps to bring those under-pressure species of fauna and flora back to their yards.

Friends of the Botanic Gardens – a volunteer group established in 1989 – organises guided walks and specialist presentations, along with undertaking the propagation of plants, and providing botanical, horticultural, and conservation information to visitors.

Go to Friends of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens for more information.