Study

Are corridors, fragment size and forest structure important for the conservation of leaf-litter lizards in a fragmented landscape?

  • Published source details Dixo M. & Metzger J.P. (2009) Are corridors, fragment size and forest structure important for the conservation of leaf-litter lizards in a fragmented landscape?. Oryx, 43, 435-442.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Retain connectivity between habitat patches

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Retain connectivity between habitat patches

    A replicated, site comparison study in 2002–2003 in forest in São Paulo state, Brazil (Dixo & Metzger 2009) found that forest fragments connected with forest corridors did not have greater lizard species richness or abundance than isolated fragments. Reptile species composition, richness, total abundance and abundance of leaf litter lizards Ecpleopus gaudichaudii were similar between connected (richness: 1–4 species, total abundance: 10–15 individuals, total leaf litter lizard abundance: 3–15 individuals) and isolated forest fragments (richness: 2–3 species, total abundance: 11–33 individuals, total leaf litter lizard abundance: 2–29 individuals), regardless of fragment size (species composition results reported as model outputs). Forest fragments (2–48 ha) in the Morro Grande Forest Reserve (~9,400 ha) were classified as connected with corridors (four small and four large fragments, corridors included were 25–100 m wide native vegetation) or isolated (three small and four large fragments). Lizards were surveyed along 100 m long transects using drift fences with pitfall traps (11 traps/transect) in January–February 2002 and December 2002–January 2003 (traps open for 16 days/site, lizards individually marked prior to release).

    (Summarised by: Maggie Watson, Katie Sainsbury)

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