The effects of shifting vegetation mosaics on habitat suitability for coastal dune fauna—a case study on sand lizards (Lacerta agilis)

Wouters, Bart; Nijssen, Marijn; Geerling, Gertjan; Kleef, H. van; Remke, Eva; Verberk, Wilco C. E. P.

doi:10.1007/s11852-011-0177-9

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(40 reference statements)

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“…Analogously, the abundance of sand lizards was positively related to old rooting intensity. Sand lizards require structurally complex habitats, with a combination of sites for thermoregulation, foraging, hiding, hibernation, and oviposition 74 . Decreasing microhabitat heterogeneity, in contrast, leads to a decline in abundance 75 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endangered animals and plants are positively or neutrally related to wild boar (Sus scrofa) soil disturbance in urban grasslands

Cabon

Bùi

Kühne

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Wild boar is increasingly establishing populations in the outskirts of European cities, with the largest German urban population occurring in Berlin. Related soil disturbance in grasslands is common and often considered as damage to biodiversity. However, it is unknown how animal and plant species in urban grasslands respond to wild boar activity - an important limitation for conservation management. We sampled plants, grasshoppers and sand lizards in 22 dry grasslands and measured wild boar activity. We show that plant diversity decreased with rooting intensity, but not species richness, endangered or specialist species. Relationships with animals were mostly positive. Grasshopper diversity, total richness and richness of endangered and specialist species were positively related to rooting, as was sand lizard abundance. These relationships contrast to mostly negative effects in the wild boar’s non-native range. This first multi-taxa study in a large city suggests that soil disturbance by wild boars is not necessarily a threat to biodiversity. An implication for conservation is to consider the context-dependence of biodiversity responses to wild boar activity. For dry grasslands, disturbed patches should be accepted in management plans rather than re-vegetated by seeding.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Endangered animals and plants are positively or neutrally related to wild boar (Sus scrofa) soil disturbance in urban grasslands

Cabon

Bùi

Kühne

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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“…The introduction of invasive plant is another threat to E. argus populations. Recently, the abundance of invasive plant has been continually increasing in coastal dunes, resulting in negative effects on dune environments and the biodiversity present (Choi et al 2006;Wouters et al 2012). In general, the presence of invasive plants in coastal dunes is a result of topological changes and artificial introduction by visitors (Song and Cho 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of coastal dune restoration on the population of endangered Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus) in the Republic of Korea

Chang

Song²,

Koo

2021

J Coast Conserv

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The endangered species Mongolian racerunner (Eremias Argus), with a limited distribution in South Korea, is found only in sand dunes near waterside and forests. Therefore, species trends in this particular habitat are directly affected by habitat contamination and destruction. In this study, we examined the effects of coastal sand dune restoration on the distribution and population of E. argus. We conducted a field survey in Baramarye special protection zone, called Baramarye Coast, a part of the Taeanhaean National Park, during April and June 2016. We searched and recorded the location of E. argus and tagged them using the toe clipping method. The size of the E. argus population was estimated using the Peterson method. After the restoration of coastal sand dunes in Baramarye Coast, the population size of E. argus increased by 126–137 (21.1–55.7%) compared with that in 2008. The home range of E. argus in coastal sand dunes was significantly expanded by 4.8-fold for 95% Kernel density (KD) and 3.6-fold for 50% KD compared with that in 2008. Moreover, we confirmed that the distribution of E. argus was expanded to the restored area. Our study showed that in situ conservation is effective for endangered E. argus, distributed in particular environments such as coastal region. This study provides one more reason why coastal region must be conserved.

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“…The second set of drivers of intervention to promote the development of dynamic dunes are related to perceived needs to save particular plants, animals and insects that are seen as rare and whose existence may be threatened by the absence of bare sand in the dune system (Rhind and Jones 1999;Howe et al 2010;Wouters et al 2012). Again, this seems to be a case where human perceptions of the value attached to a particular species, in this case because it is 'rare', have led to the development of a set of actions that are intended to manipulate a whole ecosystem so as to favor the habitat required for these particular few species.…”

Section: Shift In Paradigm and Critical Examination Of Dune Rejuvenatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is ‘re-mobilisation’ nature restoration or nature destruction? A commentary

2019

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Coastal dunes are experiencing increases in vegetation cover and reduced mobility levels in many sites around the world. Ecology-led approaches to coastal dune management perceive this change as 'undesirable' because the increase in plant cover leads to a reduction in partially vegetated to bare sand habitats and the species depending on them. This has generated a shift in the management paradigm where the objective is to revert this trend by intervening in the landscape, with actions ranging from reintroducing grazing and mowing, to mechanical removal of dune form and vegetation (dune 'rejuvenation'). In some cases, such as many coastal dunes in Britain, this has also led to low controls on visitor pressure and allowing/promoting human trampling as a 'natural' way to free up areas of bare sand. This commentary critically analyses the main principles (and terminology) underlying this relatively recent shift in management paradigm, and questions assumptions such as 'bare sand is good' and/or 'mobility is natural' in the context of dune evolutionary cycles and responses to abiotic and biotic drivers. We review the limitations and dangers of this approach and argue that it is not sustainable given the current climatic and environmental conditions, and that it can increase the risk of coastal erosion and force dune systems to deviate from adapting and changing to direct/indirect drivers. Finally, we present the benefits of a management approach that focuses on minimizing human impacts so that natural processes continue to occur.

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The effects of shifting vegetation mosaics on habitat suitability for coastal dune fauna—a case study on sand lizards (Lacerta agilis)

Cited by 14 publications

References 35 publications

Endangered animals and plants are positively or neutrally related to wild boar (Sus scrofa) soil disturbance in urban grasslands

Endangered animals and plants are positively or neutrally related to wild boar (Sus scrofa) soil disturbance in urban grasslands

Effect of coastal dune restoration on the population of endangered Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus) in the Republic of Korea

Is ‘re-mobilisation’ nature restoration or nature destruction? A commentary

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