Management of vegetation in undeveloped lands, especially those at the interface with urban landscapes, is critical to the maintenance of plant and animal species diversity and public safety. Research can help develop vegetation management strategies to achieve fire safety goals, support ranching programs and provide suitable grassland habitat for special status and other wildlife species. I studied how the abundance of lizards was affected by grazing and how different levels of residual dry matter (RDM) are associated with lizard densities. Lizard density was significantly greater in grazed areas than ungrazed grasslands. Lizard population densities, on average, were 2.75 times higher in these managed grazed grasslands than in ungrazed grasslands. Lizard densities decreased with increased vegetation height and thatch density (RDM levels). Relatively low, moderately grazed, RDM levels, 2200 - 5530 kg/ha, appear to support the highest lizard population densities. In particular, adult Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) populations averaged three times greater density in grazed areas than ungrazed grasslands. These results help managers understand some of the effects of grassland management on Central California lizard populations.
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