Below are photos of some of the botanical/landscape highlights from the recent expedition to New Caledonia that I participated in. But first, a bit of background:
New Zealand and New Caledonia both sit on the (largely) submerged continent Zealandia, which separated from Australia and the rest of Gondwana some 60-80 million years ago.
Wikipedia’s page on Zealandia.
Both New Caledonia and New Zealand are regarded as biodiversity hotspots. However, New Caledonia, despite a land area less than 10% of New Zealand’s, has far more species of indigenous vascular plants (very approximately 3300 cf. c. 2500). This probably reflects New Caledonia’s tropical setting; tropical areas generally have more species than temperate areas.
Endemism, where organisms are restricted to a particular area, is high for both New Caledonia and New Zealand, at about 75-80% amongst indigenous seed plants.
A large portion of New Zealand’s indigenous plants are found in its alpine zone. New Caledonia has no alpine zone, but it does have very different rock types which support very different plant communities.
Wikipedia’s page on Amborella trichopoda.
Wikipedia’s page on Parasititaxus usta.
The New Zealand kauri dieback website.
Dear Sir,
I am an Asst. Professor in the Dept. of Botany, NSS College, Pandalam, Kerala University, South India. I am writing a guide book for students in Ferns. Purely for academic purpose, not for pocket or buisiness purpose. For that, may l use the image of Orthiopteris given in this website. You will be properly acknowledged and credit of the image will be given in the name of this website. Kindly give permission to use the image.
Anticipating swift response at your earliest.
Thanking you
Sincerely yours
Jithesh
Beautiful pictures and a fascinating country. Thank you.