Putting it back: woody debris in young restoration plantings to stimulate return of reptiles

Published source details Shoo L.P., Wilson R., Williams Y.M. & Catterall C.P. (2014) Putting it back: woody debris in young restoration plantings to stimulate return of reptiles. Ecological Management & Restoration, 15, 84-87.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Create or restore forests Action Link
	Add woody debris to landscapes Action Link

Create or restore forests

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2011–2012 in upland forest in Queensland, Australia (Shoo et al. 2014) found that reptile captures and species richness tended to be higher in restoration plantings than remnant forest, particularly when coarse woody debris was added. Results were not statistically tested. Reptile captures and species richness tended to be highest in restoration plantings with added coarse woody debris (captures: 3.7–4.0 individuals/site; species richness: 2.0 reptiles/site), followed by restoration plantings without added coarse woody debris (1.5, 0.7), and lowest in remnant forest without added debris (0.8, 0.5) or remnant forest with coarse woody debris removed (0.3, 0.2). In November 2011–January 2012, five treatments were applied four times each in four sites (60 m x 40 m sites): restoration planting (native trees and shrubs) with added salvaged log piles; restoration planting with added fence post piles; restoration planting with no debris added; remnant forest with no debris added; and remnant forest with all woody debris removed. Restoration plantings were 0–7 years old when coarse woody debris was added. Reptiles were surveyed in either March or August 2012 and again in December 2012.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
Add woody debris to landscapes

A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2011–2012 in upland forest in Queensland, Australia (Shoo et al. 2014) found that reptile captures and species richness tended to be higher one year after coarse woody debris was added to restoration plantings compared to no debris added, or debris removed. Results were not statistically tested. One year after coarse woody debris was added to restoration plantings, reptile captures and species richness tended to be highest in restoration plantings with added coarse woody debris (captures: 3.7–4.0 individuals/site; species richness: 2.0 reptiles/site), followed by restoration plantings without added coarse woody debris (1.5, 0.7), and lowest in remnant forest without management (0.8, 0.5) or remnant forest with coarse woody debris removed (0.3, 0.2). In November 2011–January 2012, five treatments were applied four times each in four sites (60 m x 40 m sites): restoration planting (native trees and shrubs) with added salvaged log piles; restoration planting with added fence post piles; restoration planting with no debris added; remnant forest with no debris added; and remnant forest with all woody debris removed. Restoration plantings were 0–7 years old when coarse woody debris were added. Reptiles were surveyed in either March or August 2012 and again in December 2012.

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)