The volcanic peaks of North Island also create a rain barrier, but they are not as continuous as the Southern Alps, and thus rainfall is more even. In the Southern Alps, the moisture, combined with the high altitude, creates an environment suitable for mountain glaciers. East of the Southern Alps, less rain falls and the land turns more arid , dissected by braided streams . Photograph courtesy of John Anderson, Rice University Because of the restricted nature of islands, New Zealand flora and fauna often are unique. A huge variety of vegetation cloaks New Zealand, including pine trees, palms, ferns, and orchids.
Forests cover a quarter of the country.
One fifth of New Zealand is protected as parks and reserves. It starts in the tops of other trees, and sends down roots, eventually encasing the supporting tree in a hollow trunk. Temperate rain forests characterize much of the wooded regions of the west coast, particularly of South Island. Here, giant tree ferns give the forests a prehistoric look. Lush New Zealand rain forest.