Comparing biodiversity between protected savanna and adjacent non-protected farmland in the southern Kalahari
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Published source details
Wasiolka B. & Blaum N. (2011) Comparing biodiversity between protected savanna and adjacent non-protected farmland in the southern Kalahari. Journal of Arid Environments, 75, 836-841.
Published source details Wasiolka B. & Blaum N. (2011) Comparing biodiversity between protected savanna and adjacent non-protected farmland in the southern Kalahari. Journal of Arid Environments, 75, 836-841.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Protect habitat: All reptiles (excluding sea turtles) Action Link |
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Protect habitat: All reptiles (excluding sea turtles)
A site comparison study in 2006–2007 in semiarid savanna with sparse woody vegetation in the southern Kalahari, South Africa (Wasiolka & Blaum 2011) found that reptile species richness and abundance in protected areas was higher than in nearby unprotected farmland. Reptile species richness and abundance were higher in protected areas (richness: 3 species/transect, abundance: 6 individuals/transect) compared to unprotected farmland (richness: 1 species/transect, abundance: 2 individuals/transect). Ten of 11 reptile species were observed in the protected area compared to eight of 11 in unprotected farmland (see paper for details of individual species abundances). Reptiles were monitored in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (38,000 km2 formed from grasslands protected from 1931–1938) and 11 nearby commercial livestock farms (total unprotected area 10,000 km2) in March–May 2006 and 2007. Reptile abundances and species richness was estimated along 500 x 5m transects (55 transects each in the protected and unprotected study areas) using visual encounter surveys with no movement of logs or leaf litter.
(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, Katie Sainsbury)
