Fire and the Florida sandhill herpetofaunal community: with special attention to responses of Cnemidophorus sexlineatus
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Published source details
Mushinsky H.R. (1985) Fire and the Florida sandhill herpetofaunal community: with special attention to responses of Cnemidophorus sexlineatus. Herpetologica, 41, 333–342.
Published source details Mushinsky H.R. (1985) Fire and the Florida sandhill herpetofaunal community: with special attention to responses of Cnemidophorus sexlineatus. Herpetologica, 41, 333–342.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use prescribed burning: Forest, open woodland & savanna Action Link |
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Use prescribed fire or modifications to burning regime in forests Action Link |
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Use prescribed burning: Forest, open woodland & savanna
A site comparison study in 1982–1984 of sandhill-scrub habitat in west central Florida, USA (Mushinsky 1985) found that controlled burns resulted in higher species diversity and abundance of combined reptiles and amphibians. Results were not statistically tested. The seven-year burn cycle plot had the greatest number of reptile and amphibian species in both years (7-year cycle: 16–20 species; 2-year: 10–15; 1-year: 14–16; unburned: 10–15). Although burn plots had greater fluctuations in species diversity over the two years than the unburned plot, numbers of captures were higher. Captures tended to be highest in seven- and one-year burn plots (7 years: 115–307 individuals; 2 years: 102–187; 1 year: 126–203; unburned: 71–125). The one-year cycle was most consistent for supporting high numbers of individuals and species. The six-lined race runner Cnemidophorus sexlineatus was the most abundant lizard and densities were greatest on one-year burn cycles (see paper for details). One ha plots were established for one-, two-, and seven-year burn cycles in adjacent strips with burns taking place from 1976. These were compared to a plot unburned for 20 years (last burn in 1965). Burns were in May–June. Five drift-fence arrays with pitfall traps and an artificial cover board were established/plot. Traps were checked 5–6 times/week in April–October 1983–1984.
(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
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Use prescribed fire or modifications to burning regime in forests
A controlled, site comparison study in 1982–1983 of sandhill-scrub habitat in west central Florida, USA (Mushinsky 1985) found that controlled burns resulted in higher species diversity and abundance of amphibians. The 7-year burn cycle plot had the greatest number of species in both years (7-year cycle: 16–20; 2-year: 10–15; 1-year: 14–16; unburned: 10–15). Although burn plots had a greater fluctuations in species diversity over the two years than the unburned plot, numbers of captures were higher. Captures tended to be highest in 7- and 1-year burn plots (7 years: 115–307; 2 years: 102–187; 1 year: 126–203; unburned: 71–125). The 1-year cycle was most consistent for supporting high numbers of individuals and species. A 1 ha plot was established for each burn cycle in adjacent strips. These were compared to a plot unburned for 20 years. Burns were in May–June. Five drift-fence arrays with pitfall traps and an artificial cover board were established/plot. Traps were checked 5–6 times/week in April–October 1983–1984.
