New Zealand's alpine environment is challenging, not only for the humans who
explore it but for the plants and animals that inhabit it. The extremes of
temperature, short summers and high rates of erosion make for an uncertain
environment, and the flora and fauna have evolved and adapted to it in
interesting ways. Above the Treeline: A nature guide to the New Zealand
mountains is a guide to the natural history of these fascinating ecosystems. It
is the first book to be published that brings together the range of flora and
fauna that inhabit the alpine environment. As well as our unique alpine plants,
which constitute the majority of the book, this guide includes birds; frogs and
lizards; butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, beetles and other invertebrates; and
mosses and lichens. An informative introduction is followed by descriptions of
more than 850 species, illustrated by approximately 1000 colour photographs.
Written by eminent botanist and conservationist Sir Alan Mark, with
contributions by Brian Patrick, Rod Morris, Mandy Tocher and David Galloway,
this book is an important reference and field guide, and a celebration of the
richness of New Zealand's alpine environment.
Author Biography
Sir Alan Mark is one of New Zealand's leading plant ecologists, specialising,
among other things, in the ecology of alpine areas. He is also a long-time
conservationist who has played a key role in linking science with conservation.
He has been a president of Forest & Bird (1987–1990); is a fellow of the
Royal Society of New Zealand; and was made a knight for his conservation work in
2010. Now retired, he is still actively involved in conservation.