Y9 Science: Ecology in Aotearoa
🎯 Predator Free 2050 Simulation
Te Whakatauira Kore-Kīrearea 2050 - Can you save our native species?
"He taonga te manu, me tiaki"
Birds are treasures, we must protect them
🇳🇿 About Predator Free 2050
In 2016, the New Zealand government set an ambitious goal: eliminate rats, possums, and stoats from Aotearoa by 2050. These introduced predators kill an estimated 25 million native birds every year.
In this simulation, you'll explore the challenges and trade-offs of achieving this goal. Can you make the decisions needed to give our native species a future?
🎮 Simulation Dashboard
Regional Pest Levels
🐀 78%
🐀 52%
🐀 45%
🐀 63%
🐀 38%
🐀 22%
🐀 41%
🐀 18%
🐀 15%
📊 National Statistics
📅 Progress to 2050
🎯 Learning Outcomes
Through this simulation, you will:
- Understand the scale of the predator problem in Aotearoa
- Explore trade-offs between different pest control methods
- See how decisions affect native species populations
- Consider the economic and social aspects of conservation
- Reflect on what "Predator Free 2050" really means
💭 Discussion Questions
- Trade-offs: Why might some people oppose 1080 drops even though they're effective? How do we balance effectiveness with public concern?
- Priorities: Should we focus resources on mainland or islands first? What are the advantages of each approach?
- Realism: Is "Predator Free 2050" actually achievable? What would need to happen?
- Innovation: What new technologies might help us achieve this goal? (Research gene drive, thermal cameras, AI traps)
- Kaitiakitanga: How does this goal reflect our responsibilities as kaitiaki of Aotearoa?
📈 Real Numbers to Know
- 25 million native birds killed by predators each year
- $70 million+ spent annually on predator control
- ~30% of NZ land area covered by DOC estate
- 252 kākāpō alive (2024) - up from 51 in 1995
- 2% annual kiwi population decline without predator control
- 95% kiwi chick survival in predator-free areas vs 5% elsewhere
👩🏫 Teacher Notes
Duration: 30-40 minutes including discussion
Key concepts: Population dynamics, conservation biology, ecological management, ethics in science
Sensitive topics: 1080 poison use is controversial - prepare for varied opinions. Focus on evidence-based discussion.
Extension: Have students research real predator-free projects (Zealandia, Tiritiri Matangi, Predator Free Wellington) and present findings.
Curriculum alignment
- Earth Systems — Knowledge: Note: See Social Science learning area — Geography strand.
- Statistics — Practices: - probability estimate - simulation.
- Statistics — Practices: - It is not always possible to get data from the entire population (as in a census). To make inferences about a population without a census, sampling is used. - Samples must b…
- Ecosystems — Practices: Researching interventions that address specific ecosystem disruptions, using case studies or local examples to explore the practicalities and outcomes of different solutions (…
- Ecosystems — Knowledge: Individually, in communities, or as nations, humans can help protect and restore ecosystems through sustainable practices, including conserving resources, supporting regenerat…