Searching sand dunes for lizards

Over 80% of our coastal dune ecosystems have been lost. So, what about the native species living with them? Ayana Piper-Healion steps into Bream Bay’s sand dunes with a monitoring team to see what lizards can tell us about the health of the sand dunes. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.Learn more:To find out more on what the local critics think about the Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project’s fast-track application, RNZ’s Peter de Graaf reported on a protest there earlier this year.Further north, Saturday Morning reported on significant damage being caused to dunes by thrill seekers driving vehicles through them. Another region dealing with threatened dunes is Waimarama, where weeds are spreading from people fly-dumping garden waste.In the Hawke’s Bay, the ‘Skink Squad’ are on a mission to save the northern spotted skinks in preparation for an infrastructure project.In 2021, Our Changing World did a deep dive into dune plants and the largest supplier of plants for dune revegetation programs.Guests:Steve Johnson, Patuharakeke Te Pou TaiaoAri Carrington, resource co-ordinator at Patuharakeke Te Pou TaiaoKatrina Hansen, biodiversity specialist Northland Regional CouncilLaura Shaft, biodiversity manager Northland Regional CouncilBrooke Gray, biodiversity advisor Northland Regional CouncilRichard Griffiths, coastal scientist Northland Regional CouncilGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details