Study

Abundance, diet and prey selection of arboreal lizards in a grazed tropical woodland

  • Published source details Nordberg E.J., Murray P., Alford R. & Schwarzkopf L. (2018) Abundance, diet and prey selection of arboreal lizards in a grazed tropical woodland. Austral Ecology, 43, 328-338.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Modify grazing regime: Forest, open woodland & savanna

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Modify grazing regime: Forest, open woodland & savanna

    A replicated, site comparison study in 2015 in eucalyptus woodland in Queensland, Australia (Nordberg et al. 2018) found that decreasing cattle grazing intensity decreased dubious four-clawed geckos Gehyra dubia abundance but did not change inland snake-eyed skink Cryptoblepharus australis abundance. Four-clawed gecko abundance was generally lower at lower grazing intensity compared to higher grazing intensity (moderate stocking: 5 geckos/plot; rotational stocking regime: 6 geckos/plot; variable stocking: 12 geckos/plot; heavy stocking: 10 geckos/plot). Inland snake-eyed skink abundance was similar at all grazing intensities (moderate stocking: 3 lizards/plot; rotational stocking: 4 lizards/plot; variable stocking: 5 lizards/plot; heavy stocking regime: 5 lizards/plot;). Data was collected in eight 100 ha paddocks each with one of four grazing regimes (two replicates of each). The grazing regimes increased in intensity from moderate to rotational to variable to heavy stocking rates (see original paper for details). Each paddock contained three sampling sites. Lizards were monitored during seven days in February 2015 using arboreal coverboards and spotlighting. Faecal samples were collected from lizards captured by hand.

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust