The effects of riparian restoration following saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) biocontrol on habitat and herpetofauna along a desert stream
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Published source details
Mosher K.R. & Bateman H.L. (2016) The effects of riparian restoration following saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) biocontrol on habitat and herpetofauna along a desert stream. Restoration Ecology, 24, 71-80.
Published source details Mosher K.R. & Bateman H.L. (2016) The effects of riparian restoration following saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) biocontrol on habitat and herpetofauna along a desert stream. Restoration Ecology, 24, 71-80.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Create or restore waterways Action Link |
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Create or restore forests Action Link |
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Create or restore waterways
A replicated, site comparison study in 2012–2014 in saltcedar Tamarix ramosissima-cottonwood Populus fremontii forest along a river in Utah, Arizona and Nevada, USA (Mosher & Bateman 2016) found that the impact of redirecting water flows as part of forest restoration, along with mechanical tree removal, herbicide treatment and replanting native species, on overall lizard abundance was mixed. Trapping surveys indicated that overall lizard abundance was similar in restored stands (127–171 lizards/site/100 trap nights) compared to unrestored stands (62–74), whereas visual encounter surveys found that overall reptile abundance was greater at restored sites (results reported as statistical results). See original paper for the effects of restoration on individual species. In winter–spring 2012–2013, restoration of saltcedar-cottonwood/willow Salix spp stands was carried out along the Virgin River, including: introducing/redirecting water flows by trenching, mechanically removing 50% of saltcedar and Russian olive Elaegnus angustifolia, spraying stumps with herbicide and transplanting native plants. Saltcedar in Utah was subject to biocontrol by northern tamarisk beetles Diorhabda carinulata from 2006 (see original paper for details). Reptiles were monitored in two restored and six unrestored stands in May–July 2013–2014 using drift fences with pitfall and funnel traps (1,060 total trap days) and visual encounter surveys (3 transects/site, see original paper for details).
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
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Create or restore forests
A replicated, site comparison study in 2012–2014 in saltcedar Tamarix ramosissima-cottonwood Populus fremontii forest along a river in Utah, Arizona and Nevada, USA (Mosher & Bateman 2016) found that restoring forest stands through replanting native species, managing vegetation using cutting and herbicides, and redirecting water flow to reduce dominance of invasive saltcedar had mixed effects on overall lizard abundance. Trapping surveys indicated that overall lizard abundance was similar in restored stands (127–171 lizards/site/100 trap nights) compared to unrestored stands (62–74), whereas visual encounter surveys found that overall reptile abundance was greater at restored sites (results reported as statistical tests). See original paper for the effects of restoration on individual species. In winter–spring 2012–2013, restoration of saltcedar-cottonwood/willow Salix spp stands was carried out along the Virgin River, including: mechanically removing 50% of saltcedar and Russian olive Elaegnus angustifolia, spraying stumps with herbicide, transplanting native plants and introducing/redirecting water flows by trenching. Saltcedar in Utah was subject to biocontrol by northern tamarisk beetles Diorhabda carinulata from 2006 (see original paper for details). Reptiles were monitored in two restored and six unrestored stands in May–July 2013–2014 using drift fences with pitfall and funnel traps (1,060 total trap days) and visual encounter surveys (3 transects/site, see original paper for details).
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
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