Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Protect brownfield or ex-industrial sites in urban areas One study evaluated the effects of protecting brownfield or ex-industrial sites in urban areas. This study was in the UK. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Use (1 study): One study in the UK reported that an ex-industrial site that was protected was occupied by up to four species of reptiles. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3478https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3478Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:43:50 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures   One study evaluated the effects of paying farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures on reptiles. This study was in Australia. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Richness/diversity (1 study): One replicated, site comparison study in Australia found that sites managed under agri-environment schemes had similar reptile species richness compared to sites that were managed purely for livestock production or areas of unmanaged woodland. POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Abundance (1 study): One replicated, site comparison study in Australia found that sites managed under agri-environment schemes had similar reptile abundances compared to sites that were managed purely for livestock production or areas of unmanaged woodland. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3486https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3486Fri, 03 Dec 2021 13:08:13 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Regulate temperature of water discharged from power plants One study evaluated the effects of regulating temperature of water discharged from power plants. This study was in the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Use (1 study): One study in the USA reported that power plant water cooling canals were occupied by a population of American crocodiles. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3495https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3495Mon, 06 Dec 2021 12:12:00 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Modify grazing regime: Wetland One study evaluated the effects of managing grazing regimes in wetlands on reptile populations. This study was in France. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Abundance (1 study): One controlled before-and-after study in France found that moderate density autumn–winter grazing and autumn–spring marsh flooding resulted in higher abundance of European pond turtles than high density spring–summer grazing and winter–spring marsh flooding or low year-round grazing and flooding. Condition (1 study): One controlled before-and-after study in France found that high-density spring–summer grazing resulted in fewer incidences of trampling compared to moderate-density autumn–winter grazing or low-density year-round grazing. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3496https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3496Mon, 06 Dec 2021 12:17:07 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Retain connectivity between habitat patches Two studies evaluated the effects of retaining connectivity between habitat patches on reptile populations. One study was in Brazil and one was in Madagascar. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Community composition (2 studies): One replicated, site comparison study in Brazil found that forest fragments connected by corridors and isolated forest fragments had similar reptile species composition. One site comparison study in Madagascar found that in an area with hedges connecting different habitat types, reptile communities were more similar across the different habitat types than in an area with no hedges. Richness/diversity (2 studies): One replicated, site comparison study in Brazil found that forest fragments connected by corridors and isolated forest fragments had similar reptile species richness. One site comparison study in Madagascar found that an area with hedges connecting different habitat types had more unique reptile species than an area without hedges. POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Abundance (1 study): One replicated, site comparison study in Brazil found that forest fragments connected by corridors and isolated forest fragments had a similar abundance of reptiles, including leaf litter lizards. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3663https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3663Fri, 10 Dec 2021 10:57:48 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Remove or control predators by relocating them Two studies evaluated the effects on reptile populations of removing or controlling predators by relocating them. Both studies were in the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Abundance (1 study): One before-and-after study in the USA found that after raccoons were live trapped and relocated, the number of freshwater turtle hatchlings increased for 2–3 years, then decreased again after 3–4 years. Reproductive success (2 studies): One of two studies (including one replicated, controlled study) in the USA found that within a fenced area where predators were removed by both relocating and lethal controls, fewer gopher tortoise nests were predated than outside the fenced area where predators were not removed. The other study found that after raccoons were live trapped and relocated, predation of freshwater turtle nests decreased for 2–3 years, then increased again after 3–4 years. Survival (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that within a fenced area where predators were removed by both relocating and lethal controls, survival of gopher tortoise hatchlings was higher than outside the fenced area where predators were not removed. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3676https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3676Fri, 10 Dec 2021 13:46:20 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Offer reptile-related eco-tourism to improve behaviour towards reptiles Two studies evaluated the effects on reptile populations of offering reptile-related eco-tourism to improve behaviour towards reptiles. One study was in the USA and one was in St Kitts and Nevis. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Human behaviour change (1 study): One study in the USA reported that 32% of respondents to a survey said they would have gone to look for a nesting turtle if they had not been able to join a supervised turtle watch. One study in St Kitts and Nevis found that people who attended a leatherback turtle tour reported that they would be more conscientious of how their behaviours on the beach affected sea turtles. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3680https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3680Fri, 10 Dec 2021 14:01:25 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use collar-mounted devices to reduce predation by domestic animals Two studies evaluated the effects of using collar-mounted devices to reduce predation by domestic animals on reptile populations. Both studies were in Australia. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Survival (2 studies): One of two replicated, randomized studies (including one before-and-after and one controlled study) in Australia found that cats wearing collar mounted neoprene bibs, with or without a bell, caught a similar number of combined reptiles and amphibians compared to cats not wearing them. The other study found that cats wearing collar mounted ruffs brought home fewer combined reptiles and amphibians than cats not wearing them. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3683https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3683Fri, 10 Dec 2021 15:42:21 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Protect nests and nesting sites from predation by camouflaging nests Two studies evaluated the effects of protecting nests and nesting sites from predation by camouflaging nests on reptile populations. One study was in the USA and one was in Costa Rica. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Reproductive success (2 studies): One replicated, controlled study in the USA found that Ouachita map turtle nests that were disguised by sweeping with a broom were predated at a similar rate as unswept nests. One before-and-after, site comparison study in Costa Rica found that camouflaged (details of method not provided) olive ridley turtle nests had similar hatching and emergence success compared to nests moved to a hatchery. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3691https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3691Fri, 10 Dec 2021 17:31:50 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use conditioned taste aversion to prevent carnivorous reptiles from eating toxic invasive cane toads Two studies evaluated the effects on reptile populations of using conditioned taste aversion to prevent carnivorous reptiles from eating toxic invasive cane toads. Both studies were in Australia. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Survival (2 studies): One of two replicated, controlled studies in Australia found that survival of yellow-spotted goannas subjected to conditioned taste aversion was higher at one of two sites than those that were not treated. The other study found that survival of bluetongue skinks given a high dose was higher than those given a low dose, but similar to skinks receiving no dose. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Behaviour change (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in Australia found that yellow-spotted goannas subjected to conditioned taste aversion were less likely to eat cane toads than those that were not treated. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3700https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3700Fri, 10 Dec 2021 18:54:41 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Sea turtles Two studies evaluated the effects of translocating sea turtles on their populations. One study was global and one was in Japan. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Abundance (1 study): One global review reported that zero of four sea turtle translocations were considered successful. Reproductive success (1 study): One global review reported that zero of four sea turtle translocations found that breeding occurred. Survival (1 study): One study in Japan found that at least two of five wild-caught hawksbill turtles survived at least six months following release. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Behaviour change (1 study): One study in Japan found that at least two of five wild-caught hawksbill turtles returned to their point of capture after release. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3706https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3706Mon, 13 Dec 2021 10:47:32 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Plant native species Two studies evaluated the effects of planting native species on reptile populations. Both studies were in the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Occupancy/range (1 study): One before-and-after study in the USA found that an area reseeded and replanted with native vegetation was colonized and abandoned at different times by two snake and one lizard species, and one other lizard species may have remained, but in low numbers. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Use (1 study): One replicated, site comparison study in the USA found that grasslands reseeded with both native and non-native grasses were used by Texas horned lizards. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3709https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3709Mon, 13 Dec 2021 13:49:56 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Manage vegetation using livestock grazing Two studies evaluated the effects of managing vegetation using livestock grazing on reptile populations. One study was in France and one was in the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Abundance (1 study): One site comparison study in France found that one reptile species was more abundant in areas grazed by sheep than in areas managed by burning, whereas the abundance of five other species was similar in all areas. Reproductive success (1 study): One before-and-after study in the USA found that after grazing cattle to restore bog turtle habitat, along with providing artificial nest covers, more bog turtle eggs were laid and hatching success was higher than before. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Use (1 study): One before-and-after study in the USA found that bog turtle nests were laid only in areas that had been grazed in the current or previous growing season. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3711https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3711Mon, 13 Dec 2021 13:56:11 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Disturb soil/sediment surface Two studies evaluated the effects of disturbing the soil/sediment surface on reptile populations. One study was in Sweden and the other was in the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled, before-and-after study in Sweden found that after sand patches were created by soil scarification within clearings created by tree felling, sand lizards colonized, abundance then declined, but then increased once more, larger clearings were created. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Use (1 study): One randomized study in the USA found that tilled areas were used more frequently by Blanding’s turtles for nesting than mown or weeded areas. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3717https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3717Mon, 13 Dec 2021 15:28:14 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Crocodilians Two studies evaluated the effects of translocating crocodilians on their populations. Both studies were global. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Abundance (2 studies): Two global reviews reported four of five crocodilian translocations and 15 of 47 reptile translocations resulted in stable or growing populations (included both wild-caught and captive bred animals). Reproductive success (2 studies): One global review reported that breeding occurred in at least two of five crocodilian translocations (included both wild-caught and captive bred animals). BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3722https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3722Mon, 13 Dec 2021 17:10:16 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Temporarily move reptiles away from short-term threats Two studies evaluated the effects of temporarily moving reptiles away from short-term threats on their populations. One study was in France and one was in Spain. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Abundance (1 study): One replicated, randomized, controlled, before-and-after study in Spain found that after temporarily relocating Hermann’s tortoises during vegetation management, a similar number were observed compared to before management began. Survival (1 study): One replicated study in France found that at least 25% of temporarily relocated and released Hermann’s tortoises survived for 4–5 years after re-release. The study also found that 5% of individuals died while in temporary captivity. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3735https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3735Tue, 14 Dec 2021 09:58:47 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Breed reptiles in captivity: Sea turtles Two studies evaluated the effects of breeding sea turtles in captivity. One study was in the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Surinam and Ascension Island and one was in Japan. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Reproductive success (2 studies): One replicated, controlled study in the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Surinam and Ascension Island found that artificially incubated green turtle eggs that were laid in captivity had lower hatchling success than those laid in the wild and artificially incubated. One study in Japan reported that hatching success of eggs produced by one female black turtle in captivity was 12%. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3745https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3745Tue, 14 Dec 2021 11:14:04 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Create or restore waterways Two studies evaluated the effects of creating or restoring waterways on reptile populations. Both studies were in the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Community composition (1 study): One site comparison study in the USA found that restored and pristine streams had similar turtle community composition. POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Abundance (2 studies): One site comparison study in the USA found that restored and pristine streams had a similar abundance of turtles. One replicated, site comparison study in the USA found that creating new waterways by redirecting flows during forest restoration had mixed effects of reptile abundance. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3754https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3754Tue, 14 Dec 2021 13:37:31 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Alter incubation temperatures to achieve optimal/desired sex ratio: Tuatara Two studies evaluated the effects of altering incubation temperatures to achieve optimal/desired sex ratios on tuatara populations. Both studies were in New Zealand. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES) OTHER (2 STUDIES): Offspring sex ratio (2 studies): Two replicated studies (including one controlled study) in New Zealand found that hatchling sex ratio of tuatara was affected by temperature, and that warmer temperatures resulted in more males. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3765https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3765Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:00:12 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Release captive-bred reptiles into the wild: Tuatara Two studies evaluated the effects of releasing captive-bred tuatara into the wild. One study was in New Zealand and one was a global review. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Abundance (1 study): One global review found that when using recruitment to the adult population as a measure of success, 32% of reptile translocations/releases (releases of captive individuals were 7% of total projects) were successful. Condition (1 study): One study in New Zealand found that tuatara reared close to the release site had higher growth, but similar body condition compared to individuals reared in a warmer climate. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Behaviour change (1 studies): One study in New Zealand found that tuatara reared close to the release site had similar home range sizes and post-release dispersal compared to individuals reared in a warmer climate. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3773https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3773Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:02:09 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use holding pens or enclosures at release site prior to release of captive-bred reptiles Two studies evaluated the effects on reptile populations of using holding pens or enclosures at release sites prior to release of captive-bred reptiles. Both studies were in the USA. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Survival (2 studies): Two controlled studies (including one replicated study) in the USA found that survival of captive-bred smooth green snakes and desert tortoises held in pens before release was similar over 3–5 months or 2–3 years compared to individuals released directly. BEHAVIOUR (1 STUDY) Behaviour change (1 study): One controlled study in the USA found that movement of smooth green snakes held in pens before release was similar compared to snakes that were released directly. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3774https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3774Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:04:46 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Head-start wild-caught reptiles for release: Tuatara Two studies evaluated the effects of head-starting wild-caught tuatara for release. Both studies were in New Zealand. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Survival (2 studies): One study in New Zealand reported that 67–70% of head-started tuatara survived over monitoring periods of 9–11 months. One study in New Zealand found that 56% of head-started tuatara were recaptured over six years following release. Condition (1 studies): One study in New Zealand reported that head-started tuatara increased in weight by around 100 g during the five years following release. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3779https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3779Wed, 15 Dec 2021 13:42:27 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Relocate nests/eggs to a hatchery: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles Two studies evaluated the effects on tortoise, terrapin, side-necked and softshell turtle populations of relocating nests/eggs to a hatchery. One study was in Costa Rica and Venezuela. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Reproductive success (2 studies): One replicated, controlled study in Venezuela found that yellow-headed sideneck turtle eggs relocated to a hatchery had higher hatching success than both natural nests and artificially incubated eggs. One study in Costa Rica reported that 80% of Nicaraguan slider eggs in a hatchery hatched successfully. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3787https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3787Wed, 15 Dec 2021 16:31:59 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Relocate nests/eggs for artificial incubation: Tuatara Two studies evaluated the effects of relocating nests/eggs for artificial incubation on tuatara populations. Both studies were in New Zealand. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Reproductive success (2 studies): One of two replicated studies (including one controlled study) in New Zealand reported that hatching success of tuatara eggs relocated for artificial incubation was 86–100%. The other study reported hatching success of 44%. Condition (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in New Zealand found that 10 months after hatching, artificially incubated tuatara were larger that those from natural nests. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3800https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3800Wed, 15 Dec 2021 19:27:29 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Recover eggs from injured or dead reptiles Two studies evaluated the effects of recovering eggs from injured or dead reptiles on their populations. One study was in each of the USA and Columbia. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (2 STUDIES) Reproductive success (2 studies): One replicated, controlled study in Columbia found that eggs recovered from harvested Magdalena river turtles had similar hatching success compared to both relocated and natural turtle nests. One replicated study in the USA found that 64% of eggs recovered from road-killed red-eared sliders hatched successfully. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3801https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3801Wed, 15 Dec 2021 19:33:27 +0000
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

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