Restoration of degraded Chaco woodlands: effects on reptile assemblages

LEYNAUD GERARDO C.; BUCHER ENRIQUE H.

FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2005 vol. 213 p. 384 - 390

0378-1127

We report changes in snake and lizard diversity and abundance following 25 years of Chaco forest restoration based on grazing suppression in Salta, Argentina. Reptile diversity and abundance was compared between a restored native forest (Los Colorados Biological Station, 10,000 ha">10,000 ha) and an adjacent overgrazed area (Campo Grande. The following parameters were measured: a) habitat characteristics (cover of herb, shrub and tree strata), and b) richness and abundance of lizards and snakes (captured with funnel traps). Herb and tree cover was higher in the restored area. General diversity of lizards and snakes (Shannon index) did not differ between sites. Relative abundance of some species differed between sites: Sibynomorphus lavillai,Stenocercus doellojuradoi and Tupinambis rufescens were more abundant in the restored area, whereas Phimophis vittatus Ameiva ameiva and more abundant in the overgrazed area. Our results suggest that habitat restoration in the Chaco must ensure availability of grasslands and other open areas that characterize the original landscape. Grazing suppression alone, however, may be insufficient to regenerate this kind of landscape. Other complementary practices, including prescribed burning, shrub-clearing, and controlled grazing are therefore required.