Reptile responses to anthropogenic habitat modification: a global meta-analysis

Aim

To determine how reptile populations respond to anthropogenic habitat modification and determine if species traits and environmental factors influence such responses.

Location

Global.

Time period

1981–2018.

Major taxa studied

Squamata.

Methods

We compiled a database of 56 studies reporting how habitat modification affects reptile abundance, and calculated standardised mean differences in abundance (Hedges’ g). We used Bayesian meta-analytical models to test whether responses to habitat modification depended on body size, clutch size, reproductive mode, habitat specialisation, range size, disturbance type, vegetation type, temperature and precipitation.

Results

Based on 815 effect sizes from 376 species, we found an overall negative effect of habitat modification on reptile abundance (mean Hedges’ g = -0.43, 95% credible intervals = -0.61 to -0.26). Reptile abundance was, on average, one-third lower in modified compared to unmodified habitats. Small r...