| dc.description.abstract | Habitat selection in herpetofauna in Rondeau Provincial Park (RPP) around roads and
human structures in built areas were described alongside recommendations on cover
board material for their survey. The first objective was to ascertain differences among
captures between cover board types: 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) thick, but smaller, spruce boards
or 0.5-inch (1.3 cm) thick plywood boards. The second objective was to report on
insights on cover board arrangement for maximum captures and appropriate seasons
for herpetological surveys in the RPP region. A third objective was to determine how
distance to nearest road or distance to the nearest artificial structure might influence
captures. Cover boards were classified by type and frequency of capture across eight
common species in RPP. Significantly higher captures than expected by the area from
which all traps were drawing indicated patterns of selection. The period over which peak
captures occurred was plotted for each species against temperature trends over the
2014 season. Species preferring moist habitats were attracted to a more insulating
board that mimics damp microclimates; those preferring dry habitats were ready to use
a less insulating plywood board. Model selection based on Akaike’s Information
Criterion (AIC) for small samples was used to find habitat associations for five species
with sufficient captures in forest and built areas, distance to the nearest road, and
distance to identified buildings in the cottage development. Roads created a significant
apparent deterrent to the herpetofauna in RPP. As the climate changes, herpetofauna
will be forced to change their activity seasons. The trends illustrated in RPP indicated
that small, cryptic species of lizards could survive anthropogenic disturbance and even
find overnight refuge in anthropogenic areas. | en_US |
