Regional patterns of biodiversity in New Zealand: One degree grid analysis of plant and animal distributions

Regional patterns of biodiversity in New Zealand are illustrated by showing numbers of species in 1° latitude × 1° longitude grid squares. Biodiversity maps are given for twelve speciose groups of lichens, plants and animals which have been recently taxonomically revised. Centres of biodiversity are evident in Nelson and Otago. Other groups would probably highlight Canterbury/north Otago. The different roles of location and environment in the origin and preservation of these patterns of biodiversity are discussed.