The impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on North Island ecosanctuaries
The direct impacts of tropical cyclones on species and ecosystems have been widely studied, but their indirect impacts via damage to conservation infrastructure have been largely overlooked. New Zealand ecosanctuaries are large-scale conservation projects that are closely connected to local communities, provide a vital refuge for local and threatened native biodiversity, and represent a subset of the national conservation infrastructure. Cyclone Gabrielle was a Category 3 tropical cyclone that affected New Zealand between 12–14 February 2023.