Title: Removing forest canopy cover restores a reptile assemblage
Abstract: Ecological ApplicationsVolume 21, Issue 1 p. 274-280 Article Removing forest canopy cover restores a reptile assemblage David A. Pike, David A. Pike School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia Present address: 2/14 Water Street, Mundingburra, Queensland 4812 Australia. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorJonathan K. Webb, Jonathan K. Webb School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorRichard Shine, Richard Shine School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 AustraliaSearch for more papers by this author David A. Pike, David A. Pike School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia Present address: 2/14 Water Street, Mundingburra, Queensland 4812 Australia. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorJonathan K. Webb, Jonathan K. Webb School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 AustraliaSearch for more papers by this authorRichard Shine, Richard Shine School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 AustraliaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 January 2011 https://doi.org/10.1890/09-2394.1Citations: 83 Corresponding Editor: J. M. Marzluff. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Humans are rapidly altering natural systems, leading to changes in the distribution and abundance of species. However, so many changes are occurring simultaneously (e.g., climate change, habitat fragmentation) that it is difficult to determine the cause of population fluctuations from correlational studies. We used a manipulative field experiment to determine whether forest canopy cover directly influences reptile assemblages on rock outcrops in southeastern Australia. Our experimental design consisted of three types of rock outcrops: (1) shady sites in which overgrown vegetation was manually removed (n = 25); (2) overgrown controls (n = 30); and (3) sun-exposed controls (n = 20). Following canopy removal, we monitored reptile responses over 30 months. Canopy removal increased reptile species richness, the proportion of shelter sites used by reptiles, and relative abundances of five species that prefer sun-exposed habitats. Our manipulation also decreased the abundances of two shade-tolerant species. Canopy cover thus directly influences this reptile assemblage, with the effects of canopy removal being dependent on each species' habitat preferences (i.e., selection or avoidance of sun-exposed habitat). Our study suggests that increases in canopy cover can cause declines of open-habitat specialists, as previously suggested by correlative studies from a wide range of taxa. Given that reptile colonization of manipulated outcrops occurred rapidly, artificially opening the canopy in ecologically informed ways could help to conserve imperiled species with patchy distributions and low vagility that are threatened by vegetation overgrowth. 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