When
Speaker: Heather Bateman, Arizona State University
Date: Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019
Time: 3:00-4:00 pm
Location: ENR2, Room S107
Abstract: The habitat heterogeneity hypothesis is a foundation of community ecology. This concept suggests that structurally complex habitats provide more ecological niches and a wide variety of species can exploit these resources, thus supporting a diverse species assemblage. In most terrestrial habitats, the plant community determines physical structure. I will explore the relationship between habitat heterogeneity and herpetofauna diversity using examples from Southwestern riparian systems. Riparian vegetation, habitat structure, microclimate, and reptile and amphibian communities have been measured from the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico, the Virgin River in Nevada, and the San Pedro in Arizona. Habitats can influence wildlife via several processes and I will provide examples of how changes in vegetation and changes in the thermal quality of habitat can explain reptile and amphibian assemblages.