THE EFFECTS OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE USE ON THE HERPETOFAUNA OF AN EAST TEXAS FLOODPLAIN

摘要

Recreational all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use is known to cause extensive environmental damage in xeric habitats, however their impact has been poorly studied in floodplain ecosystems. Floodplains are complex and important wetland habitats due to their high primary productivity and biodiversity. In this study, amphibians and reptiles are used as indicators of environmental stress from ATV use in a floodplain at the Old Sabine Bottom Wildlife Management Area (OSBWMA), Smith County, Texas. The herpetofauna were surveyed using cover board arrays (wood and tin) placed at nine sites: three within a forest, three along trails open to ATV traffic, and three along trails closed to ATV traffic. No significant differences were observed in abundance, richness, evenness, or diversity of amphibians and reptiles found among these three treatments (P>0.05). The apparent lack of effect could be due to restricted use and the recent opening of the OSBWMA to ATVs, and/or the natural resilience of floodplain ecosystems to disturbance. Additionally, the impact of ATV use may have been masked by the relatively short time period of the study (14 months) and low rainfall during the investigation.