abundance

The Hochstetter’s frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri) is a nationally At Risk – Declining species, but management decisions for this species are limited by the lack of established monitoring protocols and analytical methods. We compared methods for inferring spatial and temporal patterns in abundance on Aotea (Great Barrier Island) using count data collected from fifteen 100 m stream transects in 2012, 2015 and 2021. Each transect was surveyed 2–3 times on the same day each year.

Habitat disturbance is a significant factor contributing to biodiversity decline worldwide. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable because of their specific microclimatic and microhabitat requirements. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Archey’s frogs (Leiopelma archeyi) have shown some degree of resilience to severe habitat disturbance historically. However, it is unknown how much L. archeyi populations are currently being impacted by historical and ongoing mining activities and development within their range.