Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project | Terrestrial Ecology Values and Effects of the WUG | 22 June 2022 35 Diversity and pattern Very Low Not applicable. High CFP is one of two areas where Archey’s and Hochstetter’s frogs are sympatric19. Archey’s frogs and Hochstetter’s frogs do not occupy the same habitats, and their distributions within CFP follow natural patterns. Ecological context Very Low Not applicable. High Habitats within CFP provide secure longterm habitat for native frogs. The park is large (approx. 72,000 ha) and provides continuous habitat for dispersal. Overall ecological value Negligible High 5.4 Ecological Values: Native Lizards 5.4.1 Desktop Analysis A desktop assessment was carried out for lizard observations recorded within a 10 km radius of the potential vent raise sites. Lizard records for this area are very limited, likely due to lack of survey effort, cryptic species behaviour and difficult habitat to search / lack of effective search techniques for the habitat (Figure 8). Native lizards recorded within 10 km of the area include two ground dwelling skink species and one arboreal gecko. Seven species of native lizard have been recorded on the Coromandel Peninsula including the Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable Toropuku gecko (Northern striped gecko Toropuku inexpectatus) (Hitchmough et al 2020). Native lizard records from similar habitats (i.e. excluding coastal species) across the Coromandel Peninsula were analysed and the results presented in Table 7. Previous surveys using a range of methods at Wharekirauponga have detected a single forest gecko (BML, 2021b). Further, an elegant gecko was observed near the existing South Camp in Wharekirauponga (Liam Ireland pers. comm20). Low population densities and/ or cryptic behaviour of native geckos and skinks may have influenced their detectability during previous surveys. Notwithstanding, their presence throughout the catchment is considered likely. Table 7: Native lizard records for species on the from the Coromandel Peninsula and their habitat preferences.. 19 Archey’s frog and Hochstetter’s frog are also both present in Whareorino Forest (Bishop et. al 2013). 20 Liam Ireland carried out research in Wharekirauponga in 2020.
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