Analysing and modelling the ecological requirements of reptiles and large arachnids : a study of the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve

M.A. (Environmental Management)Reptiles are internationally one of the least studied taxa compared to all other vertebrates, and even less is known about the large arachnids. This proves problematic as the environmental management of reptile and large arachnid species is generally neglected or only partially considered in environmental impact studies and conservation. Consequently, there is a considerable lack of knowledge on the ecological requirements (dietary and habitat requirements) of reptiles and invertebrates. Furthermore, the environmental management of reptiles and large arachnids in the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve is restricted as no data exists on the assemblage of these taxa in the study area. A model based approach was used to examine the ecology of species of reptiles and large arachnids (scorpions and baboon spiders) that were found in the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve during this study. The study proposes a baseline analysis between the species found in the study area and the suitability and availability of the ecological requirements necessary to their survival. The ecological requirements of each species were noted and utilised as the variable input categories in a scoring model developed for this study. Each species identified in the study area was allocated points from the scoring model based on favourable ecological requirements for that particular species. Field work was conducted in the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve in the northern Free State Province (March 2012 – March 2013) to do a survey on reptile and large arachnid diversity and to record the habitats in which they occur. A list of the reptiles and large arachnids found in the Leeuspruit Private Nature Reserve was compiled. One of the significant results which came to light during this study is that the diversity and abundance of reptiles and large arachnids are dependent on the availability and diversity of habitats with the necessary ecological requirements for those species. For example, the distribution of snake species was largely dependent on the abundance of amphibians and birds for food which coincided with a seasonal wetland in the study area; while rocks and detritus proved imperative to the seasonal functionality of the reptiles