Study

Effects of rangeland management on community dynamics of the herpetofauna of the tall grass prairie

  • Published source details Wilgers D.J., Horne E.A., Sandercock B.K. & Volkmann A.W. (2006) Effects of rangeland management on community dynamics of the herpetofauna of the tall grass prairie. Herpetologica, 62, 378-388.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use prescribed burning in combination with grazing

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Use prescribed fire or modifications to burning regime in grassland

Action Link
Amphibian Conservation

Manage grazing regime

Action Link
Amphibian Conservation
  1. Use prescribed burning in combination with grazing

    A before-and-after study in 1989–2003 at a rangeland cattle ranch in Kansas, USA (Wilgers et al. 2006) found that annual prescribed burning combined with intensive early-season grazing resulted in similar reptile species richness compared to alternate year prescribed burning with season-long stocking. Six years after an alternate-year burning combined with season-long stocking regime began, species richness was estimated to be similar (32 species) compared to five years after the start of annual burning combined with intensive early cattle stocking (27 species). Four turtle species, six lizard species and 17 snake species were observed during the study. The authors reported that species loss rates were estimated to be higher following burn years (see paper for details). In 1989–1998, season-long stocking (200 cows with calves, 0.6 animals/ha) was combined with alternate year prescribed burning. On the same site in 1999–2003, intensive-early cattle stocking (650 yearling cattle, 1 animal/ha for 3 months starting in late spring) was combined with annual prescribed burning. In 1989–2003, visual surveys for reptiles were conducted on one day in mid-spring each year along a 4 km transect by turning over rocks and other debris and sighting animals in the open.

    (Summarised by: Maggie Watson, Katie Sainsbury)

  2. Use prescribed fire or modifications to burning regime in grassland

    A before-and-after study in 1989–2003 of tallgrass prairie in Kansas, USA (Wilgers et al. 2006) found that rates of species loss were significantly higher during burn years compared to non-burn years (0.04 vs 0.00). However, authors considered that strong conclusions could not be reached because of confounding effects of changes in both burning and grazing. From 1989 to 1998, management was traditional season-long stocking (0.6 cattle/ha) with burning in alternate years. From 1999, management changed to intensive-early cattle stocking (1.0 cattle/ha) for three months from late spring combined with annual burning. Amphibians were surveyed in April annually along a 4 km transect.

     

  3. Manage grazing regime

    A before-and-after study in 1989–2003 of tallgrass prairie in Kansas, USA (Wilgers et al. 2006) found that there was no significant difference in the decline in amphibian species richness during season-long cattle stocking compared to intensive-early stocking. Although not significant, species richness tended to decline faster during season-long stocking than during intensive-early stocking. Authors considered that strong conclusions could not be reached because of confounding effects of changes in both grazing and burning. From 1989 to 1998, the ranch was managed with traditional season-long stocking (0.6 cattle/ha) with burning in alternate years. From 1999, management changed to intensive-early stocking (1.0 cattle/ha) for three months from late spring combined with annual burning. Amphibians were surveyed in April each year along a 4 km transect.

     

Output references
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