Study

Remnant vegetation, plantings and fences are beneficial for reptiles in agricultural landscapes

  • Published source details Pulsford S.A., Driscoll D.A., Barton P.S. & Lindenmayer D.B. (2017) Remnant vegetation, plantings and fences are beneficial for reptiles in agricultural landscapes. Journal of Applied Ecology, 54, 1710-1719.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Plant trees on farmland

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Modify grazing regime: Forest, open woodland & savanna

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Add woody debris to landscapes

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Plant trees on farmland

    A replicated, paired sites study in 2014–2015 in six grazing pastures in New South Wales, Australia (Pulsford et al. 2017) found that planting trees in pasture paddocks increased rare reptile species abundance but not rare species richness. Rare reptile abundance in tree-planted pasture was greater (0.9 individuals/paddock) than in pasture without trees (0.7 individuals/paddock). Rare species richness was statistically similar in tree-planted pasture (2.8 species/paddock) and pasture without trees (1.9 species/paddock). Rare species richness and abundance were associated with amounts of surrounding woody vegetation, such that the authors estimated there to be 2.6 more rare species and 5.7 more counts of rare reptiles in sites with 50% woody cover compared to sites with 5% woody cover within three km (see original paper for individual species responses). In January 2014–March 2015, reptiles were surveyed in six farms grazed by sheep Ovis aries or cattle Bos Taurus in paddocks directly adjacent to remnants of native open grassy woodland. On each farm, two transects (each 80 m long) were surveyed: grazed pasture and grazed pasture with linear tree plantings (10–25 m between linear plantings, Eucalyptus and Acacia species planted in the previous 30 years). Surveys were carried out using drift fences, pitfall traps and funnel traps set at 20, 50 and 80 m intervals. Surveys took place for 5 days at a time in austral spring–summer. Rare species were defined as those captured in ≤4 sites with <70 total captures.

    (Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)

  2. Modify grazing regime: Forest, open woodland & savanna

    A replicated, paired, site comparison study in 2014–2015 in 12 pastures adjacent to open grassy woodland in New South Wales, Australia (Pulsford et al. 2017) found that rotational grazing did not increase reptile abundance or species richness compared to continuous grazing. Over one year, farms with rotational grazing did not have higher reptile abundance or species richness than farms with continuous grazing (data not provided). One lizard species, Amphibolurus muricatus (common name Jacky dragon not given in study) was more likely to be present in sheep-grazed rather than cattle-grazed paddocks (results presented as statistical model outputs, see paper for details). Reptiles caught were mostly skinks (Scincidae spp.). In January 2014–March 2015, reptiles were surveyed in 12 farms grazed by sheep Ovis aries or cattle Bos taurus in paddocks directly adjacent to remnants of native open grassy woodland. Five farms had a rotational grazing regime (livestock moved between paddocks every few days and not returning to the same place for weeks or months), and seven had a continuous grazing regime (livestock left in same paddock for extended periods). Surveys were carried out using drift fences, pitfall traps and funnel traps set at 20, 50 and 80 m intervals along 180 m transects that extended from the native woodland into the grazing pasture. Surveys took place for 5 days at a time in austral spring–summer.

    (Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)

  3. Add woody debris to landscapes

    A replicated, paired study in 2013–2015 in 12 pastures adjacent to grassy woodland in New South Wales, Australia (Pulsford et al. 2017) found that pastures with timber added had lower rare reptile abundance and similar species richness compared to pastures without timber, although abundance did increase underneath the timber over time. Rare reptile species abundance was lower in pastures with timber added (0.4 individuals/paddock) compared to pastures without timber (0.7 individuals/paddock). Rare reptile richness was similar in pastures with (1.4 species/paddock) and without timber (1.9 species/paddock). Reptile counts were higher at 15 months after timber installation (3.5 individuals/paddock) than at 12 months (1.4 individuals/paddock). In January 2014–March 2015, reptiles were surveyed in 12 farms grazed by sheep Ovis aries or cattle Bos Taurus with paddocks directly adjacent to remnants of native open grassy woodland. On each farm, two 80 m transects were surveyed: grazed pasture, and grazed pasture with timber added (50 x 50 x 40 cm timber pieces laid at 0.5 m intervals from the edge to 80 m into the pasture 2 months before the first surveys). Surveys were carried out using drift fences, pitfall traps and funnel traps set at 20, 50 and 80 m intervals/transect. Surveys took place for 5 days at a time in austral spring–summer. Rare species were defined as those captured in ≤4 sites with <70 total captures. Timber was checked for reptiles at 12 and 15 months after installation.

    (Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)

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