by Aubry Tucker
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —
A University of Arkansas student was able to link eastern collared lizard population decline to the decrease in wildfires through the Ozarks. Casey Brewster recently had his work published in the Journal of Herpetology after discovering fire suppression affects the habitats of the lizards.
Without occasional fires to clear the terrain, the environment is able to grow damp and cool which is an inhospitable living condition for the lizards. Brewster discovered the correlation between fire clearings and the lizards reproduction by analyzing the lizards size in comparison to their access to sunny, dry areas.
Greater tree density reaped fewer lizards that were smaller than lizards living in clear rocky areas. “More shade equals lower temperatures and less surface activity for the lizards,” Brewster said. “They spend less time at a body temperature at which they can digest food.” Brewster said although he’s not sure the lizard’s population will ever be what it used to be that he is optimistic their numbers will increase.