Fire Regimes and the Demography of the Lizard Micrablepharus atticolus (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) in a Biodiversity Hotspot

In fire-prone ecosystems, such as the Cerrado biodiversity hotspot, disturbance caused by anthropogenic fires is increasingly affecting biodiversity. The Cerrado suffers higher deforestation rates than Amazonia and concentrates most of the burned areas in South America. To support adequate fire-management decisions in the Cerrado, knowledge on the effects of altered fire regimes upon its animal populations is necessary. The Cerrado is the largest Neotropical savanna and a biodiversity hotspot, due to its amazing biodiversity and high levels of habitat destruction. Fire plays a prominent role in the dynamics of Cerrado ecosystems. Natural fires are initiated by lightning during the rainy period, but do not reach uncontrollable levels due to frequent rainfall. Traditionally, rural and indigenous populations have used fire as a vegetation management tool, but the frequency and intensity of fires has increased in recent years due to the growth of the agribusiness and urbanization. The lizard Micrablepharus atticolus is an endemic species of the Cerrado. It has an annual life cycle, with complete annual population turnover. Breeding takes place during the dry season, when activity is higher, and hatchlings appear in the wet season. The life history of M. atticolus was studied using a mark-recapture study in five 10 ha plots of cerrado sensu stricto, subjected to prescribed burns. The study revealed that apparent survival, detectability, and recruitment increased in the short-run after the passage of fire in all experimental plots. However, in the long run, both fire-suppression and more severe fire regimes were seemingly detrimental, presumably by affecting microclimatic conditions and food availability. The study highlights the importance of considering the effects of fire on the demography of lizard populations. Adequate fire management is warranted for biodiversity conservation in the Cerrado, both inside and outside protected areas. A reduction in the frequency and severity of burns in open physiognomies and controlled, patch mosaic fires to prevent excessive fuel accumulation in denser physiognomies is recommended. The study also emphasizes the need for detailed demographic studies to reveal species needs and tolerances on habitat resources, microclimatic factors, predation rates, and burn regimes, predicting responses to fire and thus avoiding local extinctions. The Cerrado is a fire-prone ecosystem, and the effects of altered fire regimes on its animal populations are crucial for environmentally sound and sustainable fire management practices. The study provides valuable insights into the effects of fire on the demography of the lizard Micrablepharus atticolus and highlights the importance of considering the effects of fire on the demography of lizard populations in the Cerrado.