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Abstract
We examined the effects of rotational livestock grazing and prescribed winter burning on the state threatened Texas horned lizard,
Phrynosoma cornutum, by comparing home range sizes, survival estimates and prey abundance across burning and grazing treatments in southern Texas. Adult lizards were fitted with backpacks carrying radio transmitters and relocated daily. Prey abundance (harvester ants,
Pogonomyrmex rugosus) and activity were greater in burned pastures, but grazing had a variable effect depending on the timing since the last burn. Home ranges in burned pastures were smaller than in unburned pastures in the active season. Level of grazing (heavy vs. moderate) did not affect home range size. Summer survival rates of horned lizards were higher in the moderately grazed sites than the heavily grazed sites. The smaller home ranges, lack of effect on survival rates, and greater prey abundance in burned pastures suggested a positive effect of fire on Texas horned lizards.
Parent Publication
Citation
Burrow, Anna L.; Kazmaier, Richard T.; Hellgren, Eric C.; Ruthven, III, Donald C. 2002. The effects of burning and grazing on survival, home range, and prey dynamics of the Texas horned lizard in a thornscrub ecosystem. In: Ford, W. Mark; Russell, Kevin R.; Moorman, Christopher E., eds. Proceedings: the role of fire for nongame wildlife management and community restoration: traditional uses and new directions. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-288. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station: 43-51.
