Impacts of Off-Highway Motorized Vehicle Trails on the Reptiles and Vegetation of the Owyhee Front

We used drift fences to trap reptiles near to and far from off road motorized vehicle (OHMV) trails in the Owyhee Front. We also assessed vegetation. We found that at the less intensively used OHMV site (Fossil Butte), there was a tendency for more reptiles to be found at 25 m from the trails than at 2 m from the trails. However, at the more intensively used site (Rabbit Creek), there was a tendency for more reptiles to be found at 2 m from the trail than at 25 m, but both were lower than at I 00 m. Native shrubs, bunch grasses, and micro biotic crust were less prevalent closer to trails and at the more intensively used site. Cheatgrass and Chrysothamnus spp., both indicative of disturbance, were more prevalent closer to trails and at the more intensively used site. We largely ascribe the patterns in reptile density to the effects on vegetation. Dense cheatgrass prevents movement of reptiles, meaning that in disturbed areas, OHMV trails offer the only corridors available.