Activity

Biodiversity battleships

In this activity, students play a version of battleships that explores what happens to flora and fauna when habitat is lost.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • know about the flora and fauna in a variety of New Zealand habitats

  • know some Māori names for native flora and fauna

  • be aware of the extent of the loss of the New Zealand habitat, both before and after European settlement.

Native forest by a rocky river in New Zealand.

Native forest

Native forest showing plant diversity. Forested areas support a huge variety of wildlife, from fungi and lichens, to plants, insects and animals. Deforestation results in loss of habitat, extinction of wildlife and loss of biodiversity.

Rights: Lara Bieleski

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • introduction/background

  • what you need

  • what to do

  • extension ideas

  • cards and grid.

Related content

New Zealand’s native biodiversity is unique. The high percentage of species found nowhere else in the world makes our native biodiversity both special and highly vulnerable. A number of our native species are threatened with extinction.

Published:09 September 2008