Effects of fire and cattle grazing on amphibians and lizards in northeastern Argentina (Humid Chaco)

Published source details Cano P.D. & Leynaud G.C. (2010) Effects of fire and cattle grazing on amphibians and lizards in northeastern Argentina (Humid Chaco). European Journal of Wildlife Research (formerly Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft 1955-2003), 56, 411-420.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use prescribed burning in combination with grazing Action Link
	Use prescribed fire or modifications to burning regime in grassland Action Link
	Cease livestock grazing: Forest, open woodland & savanna Action Link
	Use prescribed burning: Grassland & shrubland Action Link

Use prescribed burning in combination with grazing

A site comparison study in 2006 of cattle pasture in Corrientes, Argentina (Cano & Leynaud 2010) found that overall reptile diversity, species richness and abundance were not significantly different following annual prescribed burning with or without livestock grazing. Overall reptile species richness, abundance and diversity were similar in sites with annual prescribed burning with or without grazing (richness: 4; abundance: 17–44, Shannon diversity index: 1.0–1.1) compared to sites that had not been burned or grazed for three or 12 years (richness: 3–4; abundance: 22–23, Shannon diversity index: 0.8–1.0). Some lizard species (e.g. Kentropyx viridistriga and Teius oculatus) were more abundant in annually burned sites, whereas others (e.g. Mabuya dorsivittata) were more abundant in unburned and ungrazed sites (see original paper for details). The four historical treatments (≥ 400 ha) were: annual prescribed burning (August–September) with or without grazing (3 ha/cattle unit), three years since a prescribed burning, and no fire or grazing for 12 years. Monitoring was undertaken using drift-fencing with pitfall traps in January–April 2006 (80 survey days).

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
Use prescribed fire or modifications to burning regime in grassland

A site comparison study in 2006 of cattle pasture in Corrientes, Argentina (Cano & Leynaud 2010) found that amphibian diversity, species richness and abundance was significantly lower following annual prescribed fires. Species richness and abundance was significantly lower with annual prescribed fire with or without grazing (richness: 7–9; abundance: 17–23) compared to sites that had not been burned for three or 12 years (richness: 10; abundance: 46–49). Diversity was significantly lower at the site with annual prescribed fire and grazing (1.3 vs 1.9–2.1). Species composition differed most between the unburned site and that with annual prescribed fire and grazing (Sorensen’s similarity index = 0.58). Only two of 12 species showed significant differences between treatments. The four historic treatments (≥ 400 ha) were: annual prescribed fire (August–September) without or with grazing (3 ha/cattle unit), three years since a prescribed fire, and no fire or grazing for 12 years. Monitoring was undertaken using drift-fencing with pitfall traps in January–April 2006.
Cease livestock grazing: Forest, open woodland & savanna

A site comparison study in 2006 of cattle pasture in Corrientes, Argentina (Cano & Leynaud 2010) found that overall reptile diversity, species richness and abundance were similar in ungrazed sites (with annual fires or no fire for three or 11 years) and grazed sites with annual prescribed fires. Overall reptile species richness, abundance and diversity were similar in ungrazed sites that had either annual fires or no fires for three or 11 years (richness: 3–4; abundance: 22–44, Shannon diversity index: 0.8–1.1) compared to grazed sites with annual prescribed fires (richness: 4; abundance: 17, Shannon diversity index: 1.1). Species composition was most similar in sites that were ungrazed with annual fires and sites that were grazed with annual fires (result reported as similarity index). Four areas (≥ 400 ha) were monitored: ungrazed and no fires for three years; no grazing or fires for 11 years; ungrazed with annual fires (August–September); grazed (3 ha/cattle unit) with annual fires. Monitoring was undertaken using drift-fencing with pitfall traps in January–April 2006 (80 survey days).

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)
Use prescribed burning: Grassland & shrubland

A site comparison study in 2006 of cattle pasture in Corrientes, Argentina (Cano & Leynaud 2010) found that overall reptile diversity, species richness and abundance were similar in areas with annual burning and unburned areas. Overall reptile species richness, abundance and diversity were similar in sites with annual prescribed burning (richness: 4; abundance: 44, Shannon diversity index: 1.0) compared to sites that had not been burned for three or 12 years (richness: 3–4; abundance: 22–23, Shannon diversity index: 0.8–1.0). Some lizard species (e.g. Kentropyx viridistriga and Teius oculatus) were more abundant in annually burned sites, whereas others (e.g. Mabuya dorsivittata) were more abundant in unburned sites (see original paper for details). One site each (≥ 400 ha) was burned annually (August–September), left unburned for three years or 12 years. Monitoring was undertaken using drift-fencing with pitfall traps in January–April 2006 (80 survey days).

(Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)