Movement patterns and use of habitat corridors in Lacerta viridis in a
semi-natural habitat
Abstract
Fragmentation of landscapes is a common impairment of habitats
highlighting the need to increase connectivity to support wildlife
populations. This study focuses on the Eastern green lizard (Lacerta
viridis) and investigates the effectiveness of a species-specific
corridor network in a vineyard landscape. Using a non-invasive
photographic capture-recapture approach, individual movements were
tracked to assess sex-specific patterns and distances covered in adult
lizards. The study also provided insight into population parameters such
as sex ratio and spatial distribution of the resident green lizard
population. Results showed a surplus of male individuals and clustered
distributions along the habitats. Both, male and female green lizards
use the habitat network, with males covering larger distances. The
connectivity structures facilitated the movement of males between
habitat sections with some individuals covering distances exceeding 250
m. Hereby, male movement distances correlated with female abundance,
which emphasizes the importance of connectivity structures in
maintaining population stability. Two parameters correlated to female
abundance showed significance in the models. First, the fewer females
were detected in a male’s core area, the higher the probability that it
migrated a long distance. Secondly, a positive correlation existed
between males’ covered distance and female abundance in its entire
activity range. Overall, this research highlights the importance of
habitat connectivity measures for natural population dynamics through
supporting male lizards to migrate in search of females.