@phdthesis{Wasiolka2007,
  author    = {Wasiolka, Bernd},
  title     = {The impact of overgrazing on reptile diversity and population dynamics of Pedioplanis l. lineoocellata in the southern Kalahari},
  publisher = {Univ.-Verl.},
  address   = {Potsdam},
  pages     = {v, 101 BL. : Ill., graph. Darst.},
  year      = {2007},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Wasiolka2007,
  author    = {Wasiolka, Bernd},
  title     = {The impact of overgrazing on reptile diversity and population dynamics of Pedioplanis l. lineoocellata in the southern Kalahari},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-16611},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2007},
  abstract  = {Die Vegetationskomposition und -struktur, beispielsweise die unterschiedliche Architektur von B{\"a}umen, Str{\"a}uchern, Gr{\"a}sern und Kr{\"a}utern, bietet ein großes Spektrum an Habitaten und Nischen, die wiederum eine hohe Tierdiversit{\"a}t in den Savannensystemen des s{\"u}dlichen Afrikas erm{\"o}glichen. Dieses {\"O}kosystem wurde jedoch {\"u}ber Jahrzehnte weltweit durch intensive anthropogene Landnutzung (z.B. Viehwirtschaft) nachhaltig ver{\"a}ndert. Dabei wurden die Zusammensetzung, Diversit{\"a}t und Struktur der Vegetation stark ver{\"a}ndert. {\"U}berweidung in Savannensystemen f{\"u}hrt zu einer Degradation des Habitates einhergehend mit dem Verlust von perennierenden Gr{\"a}sern und krautiger Vegetation. Dies f{\"u}hrt zu einem Anstieg an vegetationsfreien Bodenfl{\"a}chen. Beides, sowohl der Verlust an perennierenden Gr{\"a}sern und krautiger Vegetation sowie der Anstieg an vegetationsfreien Fl{\"a}chen f{\"u}hrt zu verbesserten Etablierungsbedingungen f{\"u}r Str{\"a}ucher (z.B. Rhigozum trichotomum, Acacia mellifera) und auf lange Sicht zu stark verbuschten Fl{\"a}chen. Die Tierdiversit{\"a}t in Savannen ist hiervon entscheidend beeinflusst. Mit sinkender struktureller Diversit{\"a}t verringert sich auch die Tierdiversit{\"a}t. W{\"a}hrend der Einfluss von {\"U}berweidung auf die Vegetation relativ gut untersucht ist sind Informationen {\"u}ber den Einfluss von {\"U}berweidung auf die Tierdiversit{\"a}t, speziell f{\"u}r Reptilien, eher sp{\"a}rlich vorhanden. Zus{\"a}tzlich ist sehr wenig bekannt zum Einfluss auf die Populationsdynamik (z.B. Verhaltensanpassungen, Raumnutzung, {\"U}berlebensrate, Sterberate) einzelner Reptilienarten. Ziel meiner Doktorarbeit ist es den Einfluss von {\"U}berweidung durch kommerzielle Farmnutzung auf die Reptiliengemeinschaft und auf verschiedene Aspekte der Populationsdynamik der Echse Pedioplanis lineoocellata lineoocellata zu untersuchen. Hinsichtlich bestimmter Naturschutzmaßnahmen ist es einerseits wichtig zu verstehen welchen Auswirkungen {\"U}berweidung auf die gesamte Reptiliengemeinschaft hat. Und zum anderen wie entscheidende Faktoren der Populationsdynamik beeinflusst werden. Beides f{\"u}hrt zu einem besseren Verst{\"a}ndnis der Reaktion von Reptilien auf Habitatdegradation zu erlangen. Die Ergebnisse meiner Doktorarbeit zeigen eindeutig einen negativen Einfluss der {\"U}berweidung und der daraus resultierende Habitatdegradation auf (1) die gesamte Reptiliengemeinschaft und (2) auf einzelne Aspekte der Populationsdynamik von P. lineoocellata. Im Teil 1 wird die signifikante Reduzierung der Reptiliendiversit{\"a}t und Abundanz in degradierten Habitaten beschrieben. Im zweiten Teil wird gezeigt, dass P. lineoocellata das Verhalten an die verschlechterten Lebensbedingungen anpassen kann. Die Art bewegt sich sowohl h{\"a}ufiger als auch {\"u}ber einen l{\"a}ngeren Zeitraum und legt dabei gr{\"o}ßere Distanzen zur{\"u}ck. Zus{\"a}tzlich vergr{\"o}ßerte die Art ihr Revier (home range) (Teil 3). Im abschließenden Teil wird der negative Einfluss von {\"U}berweidung auf die Populationsdynamik von P. lineoocellata beschrieben: In degradierten Habitaten nimmt die Populationsgr{\"o}ße von adulten und juvenilen Echsen ab, die {\"U}berlebens- und Geburtenrate sinken, w{\"a}hren zus{\"a}tzlich das Pr{\"a}dationsrisiko ansteigt. Verantwortlich hierf{\"u}r ist zum einen die ebenfalls reduzierte Nahrungsverf{\"u}gbarkeit (Arthropoden) auf degradierten Fl{\"a}chen. Dies hat zur Folge, dass die Populationsgr{\"o}ße abnimmt und die Fitness der Individuen verringert wird, welches sich durch eine Reduzierung der {\"U}berlebens- und Geburtenrate bemerkbar macht. Und zum anderen ist es die Reduzierung der Vegetationsbedeckung und der R{\"u}ckgang an perennierenden Gr{\"a}sern welche sich negativ auswirken. Als Konsequenz hiervon gehen Nischen und Mikrohabitate verloren und die M{\"o}glichkeiten der Reptilien zur Thermoregulation sind verringert. Des Weiteren hat dieser Verlust an perennierender Grasbedeckung auch ein erh{\"o}htes Pr{\"a}dationsrisikos zur Folge. Zusammenfassend l{\"a}sst sich sagen, dass nicht nur B{\"a}ume und Str{\"a}ucher, wie in anderen Studien gezeigt, eine bedeutende Rolle f{\"u}r die Diversit{\"a}t spielen, sondern auch das perennierende Gras eine wichtige Rolle f{\"u}r die Faunendiversit{\"a}t spielt. Weiterhin zeigte sich, dass Habitatdegradation nicht nur die Population als gesamtes beeinflusst, sondern auch das Verhalten und Populationsparameter einzelner Arten. Des Weiteren ist es Reptilien m{\"o}glich durch Verhaltensflexibilit{\"a}t auf verschlechterte Umweltbedingen zu reagieren.},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{RossmanithBlaumKeiletal.2006,
  author    = {Rossmanith, Eva and Blaum, Niels and Keil, Manfred and Langerwisch, F. and Meyer, Jork and Popp, Alexander and Schmidt, Michael and Schultz, Christoph and Schwager, Monika and Vogel, Melanie and Wasiolka, Bernd and Jeltsch, Florian},
  title     = {Scaling up local population dynamics to regional scales},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-7320},
  year      = {2006},
  abstract  = {In semi-arid savannas, unsustainable land use can lead to degradation of entire landscapes, e.g. in the form of shrub encroachment. This leads to habitat loss and is assumed to reduce species diversity. In BIOTA phase 1, we investigated the effects of land use on population dynamics on farm scale. In phase 2 we scale up to consider the whole regional landscape consisting of a diverse mosaic of farms with different historic and present land use intensities. This mosaic creates a heterogeneous, dynamic pattern of structural diversity at a large spatial scale. Understanding how the region-wide dynamic land use pattern affects the abundance of animal and plant species requires the integration of processes on large as well as on small spatial scales. In our multidisciplinary approach, we integrate information from remote sensing, genetic and ecological field studies as well as small scale process models in a dynamic region-wide simulation tool. <hr> Interdisziplin{\"a}res Zentrum f{\"u}r Musterdynamik und Angewandte Fernerkundung Workshop vom 9. - 10. Februar 2006.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BlaumEngemanWasiolkaetal.2008,
  author    = {Blaum, Niels and Engeman, Richard M. and Wasiolka, Bernd and Rossmanith, Eva},
  title     = {Indexing small mammalian carnivores in the southern Kalahari, South Africa},
  issn      = {1035-3712},
  year      = {2008},
  abstract  = {Monitoring animal populations in changing environments is crucial to wildlife conservation and management, but restrictions in resources are a recurring problem for wildlife managers and researchers throughout Africa. Land-use- induced shrub encroachment in Kalahari savannah rangelands has led to fragmentation of the landscape. Mammalian carnivores are particularly vulnerable to local extinction in fragmented landscapes, but their low numbers and their often nocturnal and secretive habits make them difficult to monitor. In this study, we tested the applicability of a passive tracking method and compared two measurement methods and index calculations for monitoring small carnivores across a grazing gradient in the southern Kalahari. During the four years of monitoring in a five-year period, we used the knowledge of indigenous Khoisan Bushmen for the identification of carnivore tracks on 640 sand transects (5 m x 250 m). Our results showed that this simple and inexpensive observation method enabled detailed monitoring of 10 small carnivore species across the grazing gradient. A binary index calculated an index based on presence/absence of a species' tracks on each transect, whereas the track intrusion index used the number of track intrusions to each transect for each species in its calculations. For less common species, the two indices were similar in trend and magnitude, because the number of intrusions to each transect was typically 1 or 0. Usually, the two indices showed relatively strong correlations. However, species with patchy distributions of higher numbers presented difficulties for the binary index to monitor trends, but not for the track intrusion index.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WasiolkaBlaumJeltschetal.2009,
  author    = {Wasiolka, Bernd and Blaum, Niels and Jeltsch, Florian and Henschel, Joh},
  title     = {Behavioural responses of the lizard "Pedioplanis l. lineoocellata" to overgrazing},
  issn      = {1146-609X},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.actao.2008.09.009},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {We studied the effects of overgrazing on the foraging behaviour of the lizard Pedioplanis l. lineoocellata (Spotted Sand Lizard), a sit-and-wait forager, in habitats of differing vegetation states to determine the effects of habitat degradation on this species. At high grazing intensity where vegetation cover and diversity is low, the lizard P. lineoocellata moves more frequently, spends more time moving and covers larger distances than in habitats where vegetation cover and diversity is high. These behavioural changes in movement patterns can be explained by less abundant prey in habitats with low vegetation cover and diversity. Although morphology, phylogeny and physiology of P. lineoocellata should constrain the change in foraging behaviour, the species has modified its foraging strategy from sit- and-wait to actively foraging. We assume that this behavioural flexibility of P. lineoocellata is a buffer mechanism enabling the species to use and survive in degraded (unfavourable) habitats.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WasiolkaJeltschHenscheletal.2010,
  author    = {Wasiolka, Bernd and Jeltsch, Florian and Henschel, Joh and Blaum, Niels},
  title     = {Space use of the spotted sand lizard (Pedioplanis l. lineoocellata) under different degradation states},
  issn      = {0141-6707},
  doi       = {10.1111/j.1365-2028.2009.01085.x},
  year      = {2010},
  abstract  = {Although the effects of grazing-induced savannah degradation on animal diversity are well documented, knowledge of how they affect space use or responding behaviour remains poor. In this study, we analysed space use of the spotted sand lizard (Pedioplanis l. lineoocellata) in degraded versus nondegraded habitats of southern Kalahari savannah habitats. Lizards were radio tracked, daily movement distances recorded and home range sizes calculated. In degraded Kalahari savannah habitats where plant diversity and perennial grass cover are low but shrub cover high, P. lineoocellata moves larger distances (40.88 +/- 6.42 m versus 27.43 +/- 5.08 m) and occupies larger home ranges (646.64 +/- 244.84 m(2) versus 209.15 +/- 109.84 m(2)) than in nondegraded habitats (high plant diversity, high perennial grass cover and low shrub cover). We assume that this increase in daily movement distances and home range sizes is a behavioural plasticity to limited food resources in degraded savannah habitats. Although P. lineoocellata is able to adjust to resource-poor savannah habitats, the increase in the lizard's movement activities is likely to result in a higher predation risk. This is supported by the lower availability of protective vegetation i.e. perennial grass cover. Hence, we conclude that despite behavioural plasticity of P. lineoocellata, overgrazing has a severe negative impact on the space use of P. lineoocellata.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WasiolkaBlaum2011,
  author    = {Wasiolka, Bernd and Blaum, Niels},
  title     = {Comparing biodiversity between protected savanna and adjacent non-protected farmland in the southern Kalahari},
  series = {Journal of arid environments},
  volume    = {75},
  journal   = {Journal of arid environments},
  number    = {9},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {London},
  issn      = {0140-1963},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.04.011},
  pages     = {836 -- 841},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {In this study we investigated the effect of different land use options (wildlife versus livestock) on species richness of plants and reptiles in the protected Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (KTP) versus adjacent non-protected farmland within the same savanna habitat type (Aoub dune veld) in the southern Kalahari, South Africa. Our results show that both plant and reptile species richness as well as plant cover and reptile abundance was significantly higher in the protected KTP than in the non-protected farmland. The higher proportion of shrub but lower proportions of perennial grass cover, herb cover, and herb species richness in the farmland can be explained by higher stocking rates and the differences in feeding behaviour between native wild ungulates (e.g. Antidorcas marsupialis, Oryx gazella) and livestock (mainly sheep). The reptile's prey availability and microhabitats (perennial grass tussocks and rodent burrows) for thermoregulation and protection against predators were significantly lower in the farmland. To conclude, our results clearly show that long term effects of different land use options (wildlife in protected KTP versus extensive livestock production in the non-protected farmland) even within the same habitat type have led to significant changes in vegetation composition, availability of microhabitat structures and in the reptile community.},
  language  = {en}
}