Restoration of degraded Chaco woodlands: effects on reptile assemblages
-
Published source details
Leynaud G.C. & Bucher E.H. (2005) Restoration of degraded Chaco woodlands: effects on reptile assemblages. Forest Ecology and Management, 213, 384-390.
Published source details Leynaud G.C. & Bucher E.H. (2005) Restoration of degraded Chaco woodlands: effects on reptile assemblages. Forest Ecology and Management, 213, 384-390.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cease livestock grazing: Forest, open woodland & savanna Action Link |
 |
-
Cease livestock grazing: Forest, open woodland & savanna
A replicated, site comparison study in 1994–1998 in woodland savanna near Santo Domingo, Argentina (Leynaud & Bucher 2005) found that 25 years after cattle were excluded, overall snake and lizard abundances and diversity tended to be similar to adjacent grazed ranchland. A total of 82 snakes of 15 species and 136 lizards of 12 species were captured in ungrazed land compared to 71 snakes of 16 species and 182 lizards of 10 species in grazed land (results were not statistically tested). Species diversity was similar between ungrazed restored and grazed land (Shannon Wiener Diversity index of snakes ungrazed: 2.4, grazed: 2.4; lizards: 1.7, 1.6). One lizard and one snake species were more abundant in ungrazed land, and two lizards and one snake species were more abundant in grazed land (see paper for details). Reptiles were monitored in an area fenced in 1976 to exclude cattle and allow woodland regeneration (10,000 ha) and an adjacent overgrazed ranchland (7,500 ha). Surveys were carried out in six plots of each habitat type (>7 km apart) using drift fences with funnel traps (‘arrays’, 6 traps/array, one array/plot) in March 1994–March 1998 (152 non-consecutive days).
(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, Katie Sainsbury)
)_2023.JPG)
