A well-known tool based on unstable rock: systematic review of design, effectiveness and costs of various artificial refuges for reptile conservation

Abstract

With the loss and homogenization of natural habitats, artificial wildlife refuges are important tools. Since one of the main obstacles is the cost of construction and subsequent monitoring of their effectiveness, it is essential to optimize procedures. Preferably, the technical specifications of the refuges and an assessment of their effectiveness should be available, as well as an estimate of the total cost. Using the PRISMA method and a Google Scholar search, we reviewed publications on the construction of various types of refuges (e.g. burrows, walls) for squamate reptiles, a speciose but highly endangered zoological group. Our results show that despite the successes associated with the construction of refuges, precise technical information is often lacking. The experimental approach needed to isolate key factors (e.g. refuge size versus ability to buffer climatic variation), to guide technical improvements and to assess overall costs, is generally lacking. While the empirical and expert-based approaches are essential, the construction of refuges could be improved by following some rules, in particular by providing the technical characteristics of the refuge, the construction and labour costs, the assessment of effectiveness (including failures) and, where possible, an experimental approach.