Management of bushrocks in agricultural landscapes for reptile conservation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bushrocks provide critical habitat for reptiles and are a common feature in agricultural landscapes. Recent advances in soil amelioration practices have triggered a resurgence in the large-scale removal of bushrock from commodity production regions. Rock removal practices have substantial impacts on biodiversity, particularly for range-restricted and rock-dependent reptile species. We discuss findings from several observational studies and natural experiments on the ecological role of bushrocks in agricultural landscapes to inform land management and restoration practices. We found that bushrocks were critical as overwintering retreats, and reptiles preferred higher elevation areas with minimal canopy cover. We found reptiles rapidly responded to bushrock restoration, with increases in abundance and richness of reptiles in rock addition plots compared to controls. Our research highlights the importance of bushrock habitat, and the removal of such habitat may have far-reaching consequences. Conservation of reptiles in agricultural landscapes requires appropriate management and retention of bushrock. We urge for greater protection of existing bushrock habitats and consideration of rock as a restoration tool to improve conservation outcomes for reptiles in agricultural landscapes.