Assessing herpetofauna biodiversity and conservation on Motiti Island
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Authors
Bradley, Jayden
Aguilar, Glenn
Bailing, Marleen
Aguilar, Glenn
Bailing, Marleen
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Date
2024
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Conference Contribution - Oral Presentation
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Motiti Island (N.Z.)
New Zealand
herpetofauna
lizards
biodiversity
ecological conservation
New Zealand
herpetofauna
lizards
biodiversity
ecological conservation
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Bradley, J., Aguilar, G., & Baling, M. (2024, November 16). Assessing herpetofauna biodiversity and conservation on Motiti Island [Paper presentation]. School of Environmental and Animal Sciences Research Symposium 2024, Auckland, New Zealand.
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/6755
Abstract
New Zealand is home to 137 Indigenous herpetofauna species, with more than 80% threatened with extinction under the New Zealand Threat Classification System. Due to the introduction of invasive species and habitat loss, 37% of herpetofauna species in New Zealand are now restricted to islands However, we still know very little about many of these island populations due to a lack of effective monitoring techniques for certain species, ineffective pest control and severe funding limitations. Motiti Island, located 10km off the coast of Papamoa Beach in the Bay of Plenty, falls into this category. Locals report up to seven species of native lizards on the island, but what these species are is unclear, and to date, no measures have been put in place to protect the island's herpetofauna. I aim to determine the biodiversity of herpetofauna and assess habitat availability and potential mammalian threats to their conservation management. Eight transects will be set up across the island in four habitat types (avocado orchards, pasture, coastal forest, and beach). Each transect will comprise ten monitoring stations, including a pitfall trap, funnel trap and artificial cover object to survey for reptiles and amphibians and, a tracking tunnel, and a chew card for mammalian pests. Visual searches (spotlighting for geckos) and vegetation surveys (cylinder intercept method) will also be conducted along each transect. Results from the surveys will be used as baseline information to make recommendations for the conservation of the herpetofauna of Motiti Island.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1 What herpetofauna previously existed and currently exists on Motiti Island?
2. What can be done to conserve and protect the herpetofauna on Motiti Island?
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