Warming winters are changing NZ’s landscapes, bringing insect pests, smaller fruit and carbon loss
Summer heatwaves are currently receiving a lot of attention in Europe because they now cause more deaths than floods or storms . But winters are also warming. While they are generally less deadly, they influence and disrupt human and natural systems in many subtle ways. Aotearoa New Zealand has experienced a particularly warm start to this winter , with record high June temperatures in the capital and warm conditions across the country. Many will welcome the unseasonably warm
New Zealand is experiencing unusually warm winters, which are significantly altering its natural environment. While this may seem pleasant, the warmer conditions are disrupting ecosystems by extending tree growth periods but also increasing respiration, leading to a net loss of carbon. Native flora is also affected, with changes in flowering times and reduced fruit production impacting wildlife, such as the kererū bird, and soil nutrient cycling.
These changing winter conditions pose a threat to native biodiversity, increase the risk of invasive species establishing, and could have significant economic consequences for agriculture and forestry.
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