Distribution of amphibians and reptiles in agricultural landscape across Europe

Abstract

ContextTo understand the herpetofauna decline in agricultural landscapes with herpetofauna presence and evaluating the species-speci c and species richness patterns in response to their features. ObjectivesThis work aimed to explore how different crop categories (i.e. agroforestry, irrigated, dry and woody crops and pastures), crop extent and heterogeneity affect herpetofauna distribution and diversity patterns at two different spatial resolutions, UTM 50km 2 and UTM 10km 2 . MethodsWe documented the occurrence of European amphibians and reptiles in crops and quantify crop extent and heterogeneity in 50km 2 and 10km 2 grid cells. ResultsWe recorded 72 amphibian and 142 reptile species at UTM 50 km 2 and UTM 10 km 2 grids. The geographic location of peaks and troughs of crop extent and of species richness at UTM 50km 2 did not coincide with those at UTM 10km 2 . Our results showed that amphibian and reptile species presence and richness are in uenced by crop category, extent and heterogeneity and that spatial patterns were scale dependent. Species richness of both amphibians and reptiles was generally negatively correlated with crop extent but was enhanced by crop heterogeneity. ConclusionsOur results provide useful information for future risk assessment studies of herpetofauna, such as to identify candidates (i.e. "representative species") for pesticide effect eld studies or for studies of risk re nement though radio-tracking.

Meta‐analysis reveals impacts of disturbance on reptile and amphibian body condition

“…Variability in agricultural practices could explain some of the heterogeneity in our data. Low intensity agriculture and heterogeneous landscapes can support diverse and viable reptile communities, although not necessarily more so than natural areas (Băncilă et al, 2023; Hansen et al, 2019; Nopper et al, 2017). We suggest that many amphibian and reptile populations in intensive agricultural areas are likely to be of lower body condition, fitness and health relative to those inhabiting less disturbed natural areas.…”

“…Variability in agricultural practices could explain some of the heterogeneity in our data. Low intensity agriculture and heterogeneous landscapes can support diverse and viable reptile communities, although not necessarily more so than natural areas (Băncilă et al, 2023;Nopper et al, 2017).…”

Agriculture cover and local vegetation structure shape Squamata’s diversity in agricultural landscapes in Brazilian Cerrado

“…However, croplands tend to increase habitat exposure to wind and water ux reducing the capacity of these areas to act as thermoregulators for reptiles (Ramírez et al 2023). Also, the lizards that have preference for open habitats (Oliveira et al 2021) can be severely affected by livestock activities due to replacement of native grasslands to exotic grasses, cattle overgrazing (Oliveira et al 2021;Băncilă et al 2023), as well as, with the use of re as a management practice (Oliveira et al 2021;Mulhall et al 2022). Terrestrial reptiles are particularly negatively affected in this scenario, especially those that depend on complex terrestrial structures that create thermal conditions for these species (Dorrough et al 2012;Neilly et al 2018).…”

“…The shape of these strips increases the area of contact with other ecosystems providing additional resources (Ramírez et al 2023), increasing landscape complementation (Sirami et al 2019), connectivity, and number of habitats for reptile's thermoregulation (Ramírez et al 2023). Therefore, restoration programs aiming at keeping habitat remnants and improving crop and habitat heterogeneity (Sirami et al 2019;Băncilă et al 2023), can favor the maintenance of reptiles and habitat specialist in the studied landscape.…”