Lizard diversity in coffee crops and primary forest in the Soconusco Chiapaneco

Abstract

FRAGMENTATION AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF NATURAL HABITAT ARE THE PRIMARY FACTORS THAT PROMOTE THE LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY. HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME KINDS OF LAND MANAGEMENT THAT MAY BE LESS AGGRESSIVE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT. SOME OF THESE ARE AGROSYSTEMS SUCH AS COFFEE CROPS, WHICH HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BIODIVERSITY REFUGES. IN THIS WORK, WE EXAMINE LIZARD DIVERSITY IN THESE AGROSYSTEMS, FINDING A HIGHER DIVERSITY IN THE LOW ALTITUDE COFFEE CROPS THAN IN THE PRIMARY VEGETATION SUCH AS RAIN FOREST, AND MONTANE CLOUD FOREST. LIZARD DIVERSITY IS EXPLAINED BY THE HIGH MICROHABITAT RICHNESS IN THE COFFEE CROPS, A PATTERN ALSO FOUND IN BIRDS. THIS PAPER SUPPORTS THE IDEA THAT THE COFFEE CROPS WORK LIKE A REFUGE FOR BIODIVERSITY AND COULD BE USEFUL FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY. ALSO WE REPORT OBSERVATIONS OF BETA DIVERSITY AND SPATIAL (MICROHABITAT) NICHE BREATH AND NICHE OVERLAP.