The class had an exciting start to the day as they met the famous Dr. Colin Meurk, a world-renowned botanist and conservationist. Dr. Meurk taught the students both in the classroom and first-hand in the field as they visited the Landcare Research Institution and Riccarton Bush. He lectured about New Zealand's natural history and ecology, some New Zealand flora and fauna of conservation concern, and work being done to help solve the problem of some current ecological issues in the area. He taught the class that some reasons behind New Zealand's environment types include Norwesters, the Rainshadow Effect, tectonic plate activity, and the "dampening" effect of the ocean on the overall island. He also stressed that New Zealand's ecology has connections to Gondwana, the original large landmass that existed during Mesozoic times comprising New Zealand itself as well as Australia and other continents. Another important take-home message of the lecture was the importance of and need for native vegetation in New Zealand, as opposed to exotic plant species, no matter how small of a patch. Any native plant is a "stepping stone" for native birds and other wildlife who are suffering in these plants' absence.
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| Dr. Meurk Lecture at Landcare Research |
The students got to see some applications of these concepts at Riccarton Bush, where there is a remnant of native bush forest within the city of Christchurch with a predator-proof fence, featuring some trees that are hundreds of years old. Riccarton also exposed the students to some of New Zealand's anthropogenic history, with two historic buildings from the first European settlers in the Canterbury Plains. Dr. Meurk and Dr. Hostetler guided the students through the native forest, identifying flora and instructing about their ecology. The students learned about the problem of exotic mammal pests in New Zealand and that the native park was only able to thrive because of the powerful fence keeping these animals out.
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| Dr. Meurk explains the predator proof fence |
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| The Avon River |
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| Overview map of Riccarton House and Bush |
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| Inside the forest remnant |
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| The restored Riccarton House |
After the interesting science lessons, the students were then taken into town to see the "restart" of Christchurch, which was devastated by an earthquake about five years ago. The area they traversed has only recently been re-opened to the public. The students also had some fun shopping in and exploring the Central Business District, and stopped for traditional tea time in the area (C1 cafe where our fries were delivered to us by a pneumatic tube) before returning to campus to conclude another day studying abroad in New Zealand. - Gabby
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| The Christchurch Cathedral post earthquakes |
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| At Cathedral Square; Challis in the background |
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