• About KCC
    • Contact
    • Join Our Mailing List
  • Volunteer
  • Events
  • Blog
    • KCC Mailbox
  • Membership Options
    • Members-only Area
  • Activities
    • Activity ideas
    • Quizzes and Games
    • KCC Book Reviews
    • KCC Stories
    • Puzzle Answers
    • Citizen Science Projects
    • Competitions
  • Wild Things Magazine
  • Join Us!
  • Renew membership!
Kiwi Conservation ClubKiwi Conservation Club
Kiwi Conservation ClubKiwi Conservation Club
  • About KCC
    • Contact
    • Join Our Mailing List
  • Volunteer
  • Events
  • Blog
    • KCC Mailbox
  • Membership Options
    • Members-only Area
  • Activities
    • Activity ideas
    • Quizzes and Games
    • KCC Book Reviews
    • KCC Stories
    • Puzzle Answers
    • Citizen Science Projects
    • Competitions
  • Wild Things Magazine
  • Join Us!
  • Renew membership!

New Zealand ferns

August 30, 2020 Posted by Kiwi Conservation Club

By Almay (age 12) from Howick Intermediate

New Zealand has an unusual high number of fern species for such a temperate country. 40% of these species can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

Ferns grow in moist surrounding areas such as forested areas because they need a lot of water. Ferns can grow on tree trunks, branches and along stream banks. Some healthy species have adapted to a drier habitat such as coastal, alpine, urban and desert locations.

Tree ferns are one of the most special features of New Zealand forests. They can be seen in all forest types and are more common in cut over and degraded forests where there is a lot of light.

The mamaku is New Zealand’s tallest tree fern, growing up to 20m high.

Ferns have 2 life cycle stages and one of them depends on water.

Because ferns need damp, they can easily be damaged when the forest conditions change. For example, when the canopy of the forest gets disturbed, it increases sunlight and drier winds.

I think ferns are very unique plants.

Share
5

You also might be interested in

Aidan’s adventure at the water dam (age 7)
Aidan's adventure at the dam

Aidan’s adventure at the water dam (age 7)

May 7, 2021

Lower dam at Zealandia We went to Zealandia. When we[...]

My KCC Adventure

My KCC Adventure

Jun 10, 2020

By Beatrice (age 10) My family and I went to[...]

Polly Pekapeka visits Izri

Polly Pekapeka visits Izri

May 19, 2022

Polly Pekapeka (our Manu | Bird of the Year 2021)[...]

Latest posts

  • Summer Holiday Adventures
    Summer Holiday Adventures
  • My Bird Story
    My Bird Story
  • Polly Pekapeka visits Humphry and Herbie
    Polly Pekapeka visits Humphry and Herbie

Categories

Become a KCC Reporter

We're looking for talented young writers to become KCC reporters and share their love of nature with kids across New Zealand. Think you have what it takes? Learn how to submit a story.

Search

Get in Touch

Send us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!

Send Message

Search

Privacy Policy

KCO Login