Evaluating the role of fire disturbance in structuring small reptile communities in temperate forests
Published source details Hu Y., Urlus J., Gillespie G., Letnic M. & Jessop T.S. (2013) Evaluating the role of fire disturbance in structuring small reptile communities in temperate forests. Biodiversity and Conservation, 22, 1949–1963.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
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Use prescribed burning: Forest, open woodland & savanna Action Link |  |
Use prescribed burning: Forest, open woodland & savanna
A replicated, site comparison study in 2008–2011 of 74 temperate woodland sites Victoria, Australia (Hu et al. 2013) found that reptile abundance but not species richness increased with time since fire. Reptile abundance was lower in sites that were burned more recently and higher in sites with a longer time since burning (results reported as model outputs, see paper for details). Species richness was similar in recently burned sites compared to long-term unburned sites. A total of 2,691 reptiles of 14 species (10 lizards and 4 snakes) were captured. In summer 2008–2011, reptiles were surveyed in 74 sites ranging recently burned (0 years since fire) to approximately 80 years post-burn. Fire histories included both prescribed burning and wildfires. Surveys were carried out using drift fences with pitfall traps (14,084 total trap nights). Sites were used for a maximum of two seasons.
(Summarised by: Maggie Watson, Katie Sainsbury)
