National ecosystem typology

The Ministry for the Environment is working to improve our data on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ecosystems. Discover more about our work on developing national ecosystem typology which will help us consistently describe and name ecosystem types.

Last updated:

We need to have a consistent names for ecosystem types

We know that Aotearoa contains multitudes of diverse ecosystems. We need consistent names for these ecosystem types so that we can bring together local and regional data to get a better national picture. A national ecosystem typology sets out ecosystem types and names, so that we have a common language. Without a national ecosystem typology it is hard to:

  • collate national data on ecosystem types
  • assess the vulnerabilities of different ecosystems
  • determine which ecosystems have been most reduced.

We are working on a nationally standardised typology

The Ministry for the Environment is leading work to develop a nationally standardised typology. We have worked with end-users to collectively identify what makes a good typology, and these principles are underpinning all of our work. 

IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology

We have decided on IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology as an overarching unifying typology. We have funded researchers to develop:

  • roadmaps into how New Zealand’s existing typologies could sit under this Global Ecosystem Typology
  • how they could be improved to meet our principles. 

We are continuing work to develop the National Ecosystem Typology, following advice from these roadmaps, alongside input from technical working groups.