Ecological Districts

Polygon objects representing ecological districts. This information resource comprises a digital dataset of the boundaries on the 1:500,000 published maps of ecological regions and ecological districts of New Zealand, which are part of McEwen (1987) (refer related resources). Ecological regions and districts are subdivisions of New Zealand into contiguous and discrete areas that have relatively homogenous physical (climate, soil, topography, geology) and biological characteristics (including cultural pattern, i.e. land use). Ecological regions are generally an aggregate of adjacent ecological districts with very closely related characteristics. Note that some ecological districts that are very distinct have been given the status of ecological region to emphasis their uniqueness; for example, Tongariro Ecological District is also Tongariro Ecological Region. The district and region boundaries in Northland have been modifies as a result of the Protected Natural Area surveys of Northland highlighting significant issues.