The relative influence of in situ and neighborhood factors on reptile recolonization in post-mining restoration sites

Published source details Triska M.D., Craig M.D., Stokes V.L., Pech R.P. & Hobbs R.J. (2016) The relative influence of in situ and neighborhood factors on reptile recolonization in post-mining restoration sites. Restoration Ecology, 24, 517-527.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Restore former mining or energy production sites Action Link

Restore former mining or energy production sites

A replicated, site comparison study in 2005–2012 in eucalypt forest in southwestern Australia (Triska et al. 2016) found that restored ex-mined forest did not maintain the same reptile assemblages as unmined forest up to 20 years after mining ceased. Reptile assemblages in restored ex-mining sites of all ages were different to unmined sites and did not become more similar to unmined sites over time (all results reported as statistical model outputs, see original paper for details). All 17 reptile species found in unmined sites were also found in restored sites, but 10 of 17 species were less abundant in restored sites. See original paper for details of individual species abundance changes over time. After bauxite mining ceased, eucalypt forest patches (~20 ha each) were restored by replacing retained topsoil and re-establishing vegetation from the topsoil seedbank, direct seeding and planting. In 2005–2012, reptiles were surveyed in 104 ex-mining sites that were restored 3–20 years earlier and 35 unmined sites. Reptiles were trapped using drift fences with pitfall and funnel traps in October–December and March (restored sites: 25,920 trap nights, unmined sites: 9,216 trap nights; trapping did not occur every year).

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)