Common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) and slow-worms (Anguis fragilis) are not found in coppiced small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) areas of a Northamptonshire-Cambridgeshire nature reserve
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Published source details
Fish A. (2015) Common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) and slow-worms (Anguis fragilis) are not found in coppiced small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) areas of a Northamptonshire-Cambridgeshire nature reserve. The Herpetological Bulletin, 134, 26-27.
Published source details Fish A. (2015) Common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) and slow-worms (Anguis fragilis) are not found in coppiced small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) areas of a Northamptonshire-Cambridgeshire nature reserve. The Herpetological Bulletin, 134, 26-27.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Coppice trees Action Link |
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Clear or open patches in forests Action Link |
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Coppice trees
A replicated, site comparison study (year not provided) in two sites of temperate broadleaf woodland on the border of Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, UK (Fish 2015) found that in coppiced areas of a woodland no slow worms Anguis fragilis or common lizards Zootoca vivipara were found, whereas both species were found in open areas maintained by cutting. No slow worms or common lizards were found in either recently coppiced sites (2–6 years previously) or older coppiced sites (9–17 years old), whereas 41 common lizards and 102 slow worms were found in open areas maintained by cutting. In each of two areas of woodland, three sites of recently coppiced woodland (2–6 years old), three sites of older coppice (9–17 years old) and three open areas were selected (one of the open areas was selected two weeks after surveys began). All coppiced areas were dominated by small-leaved lime trees Tilia cordata. At each survey site, 20 coverboards (50 x 50 cm; 10 made of roofing felt, 10 made of corrugated bitumen) were arranged in a grid, with 5 m gaps between boards. Coverboards were left for one week, and then checked for reptiles on 3–6 days/week for eight weeks.
(Summarised by: William Morgan)
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Clear or open patches in forests
A replicated, site comparison study (year not provided) in two sites of temperate broadleaf woodland on the border of Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, UK (Fish 2015) found that more slow worms Anguis fragilis and common lizards Zootoca vivipara were found in woodland clearings maintained by cutting compared to in coppiced areas of a woodland. A total of 41 common lizards and 102 slow worms were found in clearings maintained by cutting, whereas no slow worms or common lizards were found in either recently coppiced sites (2–6 years previously) or older coppiced sites (9–17 years old). In each of two areas of woodland, three clearings maintained by vegetation cutting (one of the open areas was selected two weeks after surveys began), three sites of recently coppiced woodland (2–6 years old) and three sites of older coppice (9–17 years old) were selected. All coppiced areas were dominated by small-leaved lime trees Tilia cordata. At each survey site, 20 coverboards (50 x 50 cm; 10 made of roofing felt, 10 made of corrugated bitumen) were arranged in a grid, with 5 m gaps between boards. Coverboards were left for one week, and then checked for reptiles on 3–6 days/week for eight weeks.
(Summarised by: William Morgan)
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