Researchers from the University of Adelaide, along with an international team, have discovered that New Zealand’s endangered flightless birds are seeking refuge in the same locations where six species of moa were last found before going extinct. By using fossils and computer modelling, they were able to trace the population dynamics of these moa species and identify the areas where they ultimately disappeared. These findings shed light on a mystery that has important conservation implications for the protection of New Zealand’s threatened flightless bird species.
The research, recently published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, revealed that the moa graveyards are located in isolated, cold, mountainous environments on both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. These areas now harbor some of the last populations of flightless birds such as takahē, weka, great spotted kiwi, and the critically endangered kākāpō. The study found that populations of moa likely vanished first from preferred lowland habitats where Polynesian colonists settled, with declines in population decreasing as elevation and distance from the coast increased.
The study’s lead author, Dr. Sean Tomlinson, explained that by comparing the distribution of moa populations with that of today’s flightless birds, they were able to identify the last remaining havens for these species. These ancient refugia, which are the least impacted by human activity, continue to provide sanctuary for New Zealand’s remaining flightless birds. This similarity in spatial dynamics between past moa populations and current flightless bird populations highlights the importance of protecting these remote, wild places for conservation efforts.
The research also highlights the similarities in the drivers of decline for both past moa extinctions and the current threats facing New Zealand’s flightless bird species. While the causes may be different, the spatial patterns remain the same, with lowland areas being the first to be impacted by human activity and conservation efforts now focusing on more remote, less disturbed habitats. The study provides a new method for understanding past extinctions on islands with limited fossil and archaeological data, which is particularly relevant for the Pacific Islands.
Dr. Jamie Wood, another author of the study, emphasized the importance of learning from the past to inform conservation strategies for present and future protection of New Zealand’s flightless bird species. By studying the spatial dynamics of past extinctions and comparing them to current threats, researchers can identify key areas for conservation efforts to prioritize. This research not only provides valuable insights for protecting New Zealand’s endangered flightless birds but also serves as a model for understanding extinction patterns on other Pacific Islands where data may be limited.
Overall, the discovery of the overlap between the last populations of moa and the current refugia for New Zealand’s flightless birds provides important lessons for conservation efforts. By recognizing the importance of protecting remote, less impacted habitats, researchers and conservationists can work towards safeguarding the remaining populations of these unique and vulnerable species. The study also demonstrates the value of using innovative methods, such as computer modelling and fossil analysis, to uncover insights into past extinctions and inform strategies for preserving biodiversity in the face of human-driven environmental changes.