Data from: Predation risk for reptiles is highest at remnant edges in agricultural landscapes

Preventing biodiversity loss in fragmented agricultural landscapes is a
global problem. The persistence of biodiversity within remnant vegetation
can be influenced by an animal's ability to move through the farmland
matrix between habitat patches. Yet, many of the mechanisms driving
species occurrence within these landscapes are poorly understood,
particularly for reptiles. We used scented and unscented plasticine lizard
models and wildlife cameras to (a) estimate predation risk of reptiles in
four farmland types (crop field, pasture paddock, restoration tree
planting and areas with applied woody mulch) relative to the patch edge
and remnant vegetation, and (b) examine how predation risk was influenced
by temporal change in the matrix (crop harvesting). Birds (55.1%), mammals
(41.1%), reptiles (3.4%), and invertebrates (0.5%) attacked models, of
which 87% were native species. Mammalian predators were 60.2% more likely
to attack scented models then unscented models. Bird predators were not
influenced by scent. We found predator attacks on models were highest at
edges (49%, irrespective of adjacent farmland type, with a reduced risk
within farmland (29%) and remnant patches (33%) (p < 0.01). Both
mammal and bird predators contributed to high numbers of predation
attempts at edges. Removal of crops did not increase predation attempts in
crop fields or other farmland types, although predation attempts were
significantly lower along the crop transect after harvesting, compared to
the woody debris transect. However, numbers of predation attempts were
higher in edge habitats, particularly prior to harvesting. Synthesis and
applications. Reptiles are at risk of predation by birds and mammals in
both remnant patches and the farmland matrix, particularly in edge
habitat. Our results demonstrate that edge habitats are potentially
riskier for lizards than the farmland. Vulnerability to predation may be
increased by a lack of shelter within edge habitats such as by increasing
visibility of reptiles to predators. Therefore, to benefit reptiles, land
managers could provide shelter (rocks, logs, and grasses), particularly
between remnants and linear plantings which could improve landscape
connectivity.