Part 7/9:
Another fascinating aspect of New Zealand’s biodiversity can be found beneath its surface in caves like those in Paparoa National Park. Cavers exploring these subterranean worlds seek to document and understand the unique life forms that inhabit them, such as the glow worm, whose bioluminescence creates celestial displays that attract prey.
These caves hold remnants of marine life and ancient ecosystems, giving insight into periods when New Zealand lay beneath the sea. They reveal the transformative processes that have shaped the landscape and provide context for the extraordinary adaptations witnessed in New Zealand’s wildlife.