Vol 3 Land Resource Inventory Report - Department of Environment ...

Figure 3.10: The ground cover of the north-western parts of the island is dominated by
boulders and loose cobbles.
Discussion
It is highly likely that not all resident herpetofauna were recorded during this survey. The
observed differences in skink abundance between different parts of the island are
probably not indicative of their distribution and require further investigation. The
presence of two endemic skinks: C. cryptoblepharus and E. concolor is encouraging.
Makodraga had been experiencing a dry spell prior to the survey. The effects of the dry
spell were evident in the dry (flammable) ground cover; making the island and its
resident fauna and flora very vulnerable to fires. The fact that not a single Iguana was
observed during the nocturnal survey was solely due to the very bad weather conditions
(wind and rain) encountered prior and during the survey.
The survey two months later by P. Harlow and R. Fisher was carried out in ideal
conditions thus the discovery of a good population of Brachylophus cf. bulabula.
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