Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project | Terrestrial Ecology Values and Effects of the WUG | 22 June 2022 29 Diversity and pattern Low Vegetation communities on the farm property have low levels of diversity, consisting of a mix of native and exotic species commonly found in rural / agricultural environments (excluding the swamp maire described in Section 3.7). Very High Vegetation communities in CFP are highly diverse, supporting natural successional and altitudinal patterns. Ecological context Low The vegetation fragments are small in size and have limited ecological value, mostly for tolerant native species e.g., common native birds. The vegetation fragments are somewhat buffered from further disturbance by topography, but they are very small in size. Very High The Project Area where the proposed vent raises will be located are within a largely intact forested corridor within the lower Coromandel Peninsula that supports a diverse range of flora and fauna in all life stages. Overall ecological value Low Very High 5.2 Terrestrial Invertebrate Values 5.2.1 Literature Analysis The Coromandel is home to an array of recognisable invertebrate fauna, but most invertebrate species are poorly described. Kessels and Associates (2010) described two key species of invertebrate fauna within the Waihi ED, paua slug (Schizoglossa worthyae) and a flightless stage beetle (most likely Te Aroha stag beetle - Geodorcus auriculatus spp.). The native, terrestrial paua slug is also found in the region (Kessels & Associates, 2010). The threat status of paua slugs has not been assigned in the Department of Conservation Threat Classification System. Paua slugs are a nocturnal, carnivorous slug that have been recorded in the Wharekirauponga area (Appendix 3). Our experience surveying paua slugs suggests that they are sparsely distributed across the Wharekirauponga catchment and do not emerge reliably on consecutive nights. A species of flightless stag beetle has been found in a forest near Golden Cross (Kessels & Associates, 2010). Patchy observations have been recorded on iNaturalist from within the wider area and ED. This species is relatively unknown to science (considered to be Sparse (Leschen et al., 2012) and is prone to predation and effects of habitat destruction by invasive mammals such as rats and pigs (Leschen et al., 2012). Other species observed within the Wharekirauponga catchment (BML, 2019, 2021) include peripatus / Ngaokeoke species, likely Perpatoides sympatrica and P. aurorbis. Other common notable invertebrates present within the wider area include the Auckland tree wētā (Hemideina thoracica) and species of cave wētā (Pachyrhamma spp), both of which are classified as Not Threatened (Trewick et al., 2014). These species have been observed
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