Evaluating the importance of agri-environment scheme buffer strips to widespread amphibians and reptiles [Environmental Stewardship Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Reference ECM6147]: Final report
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Published source details
Salazar R., Foster J. & Thompson P. (2016) Evaluating the importance of agri-environment scheme buffer strips to widespread amphibians and reptiles [Environmental Stewardship Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Reference ECM6147]: Final report. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) report, Report to Natural England.
Published source details Salazar R., Foster J. & Thompson P. (2016) Evaluating the importance of agri-environment scheme buffer strips to widespread amphibians and reptiles [Environmental Stewardship Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Reference ECM6147]: Final report. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) report, Report to Natural England.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Create uncultivated margins around arable or pasture fields Action Link |
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Create uncultivated margins around arable or pasture fields
A replicated study in 2014–2015 on 14 farms in the UK (Salazar et al. 2016) found that uncultivated field margins were used by slow worms Anguis fragilis, common lizards Zootoca vivipara and grass snakes Natrix Helvetica but not by adders Vipera berus. From two separate surveys, uncultivated margins were occupied by slow worms (occupied 8% and 14% of surveyed margins), common lizards (occupied 5% and 32% of surveyed margins) and grass snakes (occupied 45% and 49% of surveyed margins), but adders were not found in any margins. One analysis method showed that slow worms and grass snakes were found less frequently in margins with taller vegetation, and common lizards were found more frequently in wider margins with deeper ditches (presented as model result; see paper for more details). In 2014, ten farms were selected and eight 100 m transects were established in uncultivated field margins on each farm (south, east or facing margins only). In 2015, a total of 80 transects (100m) were established on margins across six farms (facing any direction). Five groups of 2–3 refuges (roofing felt/corrugated sheets and carpet tiles; 50 x 50 cm) were set at 20 m intervals along the transects. Transects were searched 12–15 times in 2014 and 6–10 times in 2015 during April–November. Presence or absence of reptiles was recorded.
(Summarised by: William Morgan)
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