Land Environments of New Zealand: A Quantitative Geographic Framework for Biodiversity and Resource Management

Land Environments of New Zealand (LENZ) is currently being developed as a quantitative classification of the diverse terrestrial environments of New Zealand, funded by the Ministry for the Environment as part of its Environmental Performance Indicators Programme. LENZ defines geographic areas that have similar environmental character, as described using climate, landform, and soil characteristics chosen for their functional role in driving natural biotic patterns. Classification units are defined using a numerical clustering algorithm designed for analysis of very large data sets, with the groups arranged in a scalable, hierarchical structure. This allows varying degrees of classification detail to be used for different applications and at different spatial scales. Both the classification, and the underlying data layers will eventually be available to central and local government agencies as high-resolution raster layers suitable for use at national, regional, and local scales. LENZ is expected to have a diverse range of applications related to the management of both indigenous biodiversity and human land-use issues. For example, when assessing the current biodiversity values of surviving natural ecosystem fragments, it allows quantitative reconstruction of New Zealand’s likely pre-human character, providing a crucial historical context for analysing the relative loss and fragmentation of natural values in different regions, and assessing potential changes to New Zealand’s biodiversity. In environmental monitoring, the classification will be used as a framework both for monitoring and reporting on indices of environmental sustainability. LENZ will also form an important component of a numerically based system designed to manage biosecurity risks posed to New Zealand by biota from other global locations. Finally, applications aimed at managing productive land uses such as forestry, dairy, and cropping are also being explored.