Spatial diversity of herpetofauna in Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park

Reptiles are declining worldwide at an alarming rate and are extremely vulnerable due to their ecological requirements. Most of them have a small home range and their ability to disperse is confined. The loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitats are believed to be some of the main causes responsible for the reduction of reptile populations. The knowledge of species abundance and diversity is fundamental so as to understand several processes such as community dynamics and habitat use. Species diversity is one of the main elements of community organization and it has an immediate effect on the decisions made in ecosystem management and protection. The present study examined the diversity of herpetofauna in nine different habitat types located in Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park. Five sampling plots which measured 10m × 100m were randomly selected for each habitat type. From a total of 1.703 observations, eight lizard species and ten snake species were recorded. Species diversity differed among habitat types, with grasslands and non-intesively cultivated areas having the highest values, whereas rocky and intensively cultivated areas had the lowest values. The importance of maintaining open areas to support a great diversity of herpetofauna is discussed.