Effects of land management on non-target reptiles in the sand pine scrub

Land management can serve a variety of purposes and affect species within a community differently. Small ectothermic organisms may be particularly vulnerable as microhabitats will be altered by different management approaches for target species. The Ocala National Forest is home to a variety of small endemic ectotherms including the Florida scrub lizards (Sceloporus woodi) and six-lined racerunners (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus). Certain sites within the forest have shifted from management for pulpwood production to practices that enhance Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) habitat via more frequent site disturbance. Our goal was to investigate if this shift in land management will affect the abundance of non-focal ectotherms. Thus, we measured the abundance of lizards in different management areas at sites that varied in time since their last disturbance. We found that S. woodi and Aspidoscelis sexlineatus were found in greater abundance at sites managed for Florida scrub jays compared to sites managed for pulpwood production. These findings show that management to enhance Florida scrub jay habitat has varied effects on non-target species, yet has the potential to benefit some small, specialized ectotherms alongside this target species.