Comparative use of active searches and artificial refuges to survey reptiles in temperate eucalypt woodlands

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dc.contributor.authorMichael, Damianen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCunningham, Rossen_AU
dc.contributor.authorDonnelly, Christineen_AU
dc.contributor.authorLindenmayer, David Ben_AU
dc.date.accessioned2015-12-10T23:12:29Z
dc.date.issued2012
dc.date.updated2016-02-24T09:44:01Z
dc.description.abstractContext In many parts of the world, artificial refuges (ARs) are increasingly used to survey different kinds of herpetofauna. Despite gaining popularity, the merit of using ARs compared with standardised active searches remains poorly known, as does their application in regions that support species exhibiting varied life-form strategies. Aims We examined the effectiveness of using two survey methods, active searches and ARs (corrugated steel, roof tiles and three different timber refuges), to detect herpetofauna in a range of eucalypt-woodland communities in south-eastern Australia. Methods We collected count data over a 12-year period from three independent long-term biodiversity monitoring programs in southern New South Wales. We used generalised linear models to compare detection probabilities among survey methods (active searches versus ARs) and among ARs, for each study area. Key results In all study areas, active searches detected the highest mean species richness per site. However, both methods provided complimentary species, thereby maximising species inventory at a regional scale. Species more likely to be detected in active searches included diurnally active, terrestrial and arboreal heliotherms, whereas species detected more frequently using ARs included nocturnal thigmotherms. Conclusions A combination of active searches and AR types is required to provide regional-scale representative reptile assemblages, although more than five consecutive surveys may be needed before species accumulation curves reach plateaux. In future studies, we recommend using stacks of corrugated steel to detect heliothermic Scincidae and arboreal Gekkonidae, roof tiles to detect thigmothermic Pygopodidae and railway sleepers to detect cryptozoic Elapidae and tunnel-dwelling Gekkonidae. Implications Using a combination of ARs and active searches will increase the chance of detecting both common and cryptic species and deploying corrugated steel provides a cost-effective method for surveying reptiles in long-term studies.
dc.identifier.issn1035-3712
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1885/64007
dc.language.isoen_AUen_AU
dc.publisherCSIRO Publishing
dc.sourceWildlife Research
dc.subjectKeywords: agricultural land; artificial ecosystem; biodiversity; biological survey; cost-benefit analysis; crypsis; data set; detection method; evergreen forest; herpetofauna; monitoring system; refuge; reptile; species richness; steel; surveying; temperate environ agricultural landscapes; artificial refuges; long-term monitoring; reptiles; survey method; temperate woodlands.
dc.titleComparative use of active searches and artificial refuges to survey reptiles in temperate eucalypt woodlands
dc.typeJournal article
local.bibliographicCitation.issue2
local.bibliographicCitation.lastpage162
local.bibliographicCitation.startpage149
local.contributor.affiliationMichael, Damian, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, ANU
local.contributor.affiliationCunningham, Ross, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, ANU
local.contributor.affiliationDonnelly, Christine, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, ANU
local.contributor.affiliationLindenmayer, David, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, ANU
local.contributor.authoremailu4039259@anu.edu.auen_AU
local.contributor.authoruidMichael, Damian, u4039259
local.contributor.authoruidCunningham, Ross, u8200457
local.contributor.authoruidDonnelly, Christine, u8509768
local.contributor.authoruidLindenmayer, David, u8808483
local.description.embargo2037-12-31
local.description.notesImported from ARIES
local.identifier.absfor050206 - Environmental Monitoring
local.identifier.absseo960505 - Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Forest and Woodlands Environments
local.identifier.ariespublicationf5625xPUB876
local.identifier.citationvolume39
local.identifier.doi10.1071/WR11118
local.identifier.scopusID2-s2.0-84859360108
local.identifier.thomsonID000302323100006
local.identifier.uidSubmittedByf5625
local.type.statusPublished Versionen_AU

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