Waihi North Project: Assessment of Terrestrial Ecological Values & Effects 62138 WNP AEE 55 facilitate species movement between good habitats or hold any important habitat resource not present in the larger SNA 166. We judge the contextual value as low. Conclusion In the absence of values greater than low associated with representativeness, diversity and pattern, ecological context, distinctiveness or rarity, the western fragment is considered to be of low value and not ecologically significant. Figure 28. ‘Western Fragment’ 5.3.2.2 Eastern Fragment The Eastern Fragment is approximately 0.9 ha and is unfenced. It comprises early regenerating ponga gully-type vegetation. The canopy is low (c. 2 m – 3 m) and is almost entirely a C. medullaris monoculture in the central region, excepting isolated māhoe and pockets of kānuka around the outer edges. Gorse is moderately common around the perimeter, but is replaced by common native understorey plants such as mingimingi and Coprosma rhamnoides and patches of the fern Histiopteris incisa. This fragment is grazed underneath. The ecosystem best fits the classification of a tree fern variant of ‘VS5 – Broadleaved species scrub/forest’ (Singers & Rogers, 2014). This ecosystem is driven primarily by large scale historic disturbance, and as such is an abundant ecosystem type within the Waihi ED. 5.3.2.2.1 Ecological value and significance The Eastern Fragment is considered to have low value. It is smaller than the Western Fragment, has a very simple species assemblage and lacks large tree species typical of a future forest type. This fragment has very low representativeness, and lacks the flora and fauna expected of a natural early seral system. Without any other “special” value, it is judged to have no more than low ecological value and is not a significant area of vegetation of habitat of indigenous fauna.
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