Did ManFor C.BD forest treatments influence species biodiversity of amphibians and reptiles?

Amphibians and reptiles species diversity in the Manfor C.BD sites was assessed using herpetological standard census methodologies (Heyer et al., 1994; McDiarmid et al., 2012). Species diversity greatly varies among sites (Table 1; Figure 1). The site areas range between 30 and 35 hectares with the exception of the site Monte di Mezzo - Pennataro (about 400 ha). Species richness, for both amphibians and reptiles, did not vary before and after silvicultural treatments, and even on control sites without treatment. Aquatic sites used by amphibians as breeding sites before forest harvesting were used by the same species after treatments as well. The number of reptile species, generally recorded as a result of the encounter of single individuals since their abundance in forest environment is often very low, was also confirmed. New treatments in studied forests did not affect herpetofauna species richness. However, we have to interpret such results with caution, since effects were measured within a very short time interval after thinning treatments and, consequently, they have therefore little significance. Low vagile species (amphibians and reptiles) disappear from environment only in the event of a drastic and sudden environmental change (habitat destruction or loss).