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Patuxent
Wildlife Research Center
NAAMP III Archive
- community & regional
Home | Archive
by Alphabetical Order | Archive by Category
Mark T. Southerland, Paul Kazyak and Janis C. Chaillou
Versar, Inc.
email: southerlandmar@versar.com
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
[ Abstract ]
Introduction
The purpose of this paper is to describe the component of the Maryland Biological
Stream Survey (MBSS) that monitors amphibians and reptiles. While the MBSS is
a comprehensive, statewide program for characterizing stream resources, assessing
the condition of their biological communities, and identifying possible factors
leading to their degradation, it focuses primarily on fish, benthic macroinvertebrates,
physical habitat, and water chemistry. Monitoring of amphibians and reptiles
is a secondary component of the Survey along with crayfish, mussels, and macrophytes.
Nonetheless, we hope to make the maximum use of the information obtained on
amphibians and reptiles, and perhaps improve our monitoring efforts relative
to this component of Maryland's fauna as the MBSS evolves. To this end, we solicit
the advice of conference participants on how to better evaluate the amphibians
and reptiles component of the MBSS.
Background on the MBSS
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is charged with managing
the natural resources of the state. Although site-specific studies have revealed
adverse effects on non-tidal streams from acidic deposition and other anthropogenic
stresses, no information is available on the condition of stream resources in
Maryland at a statewide or watershed level. To address the lack of comprehensive
information on the biological resources affected by acidic deposition and other
stressors, DNR is implementing the Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS).
The MBSS will provide a comprehensive and technically defensible assessment
of the extent to which certain anthropogenic stresses may have affected or may
be affecting biological resources in the state. The survey will help decision-makers
identify the geographic distribution of biological resources, establish priorities
for environmental issues of concern in Maryland's non-tidal streams, and identify
regions that require protection or mitigation.
MBSS Study Design
The MBSS has been designed explicitly to provide area-wide estimates of biological
condition. This includes a probability-based sampling design in which sites
are selected from a comprehensive list of stream reaches in Maryland such that
all sampling sites have a known, non-zero probability of being sampled. This
sampling design enables investigators to use data from the MBSS to estimate
the condition of non-tidal streams on the basis of stream size (Strahler order),
large watersheds, and statewide. Specifically, the survey incorporates a lattice
design that ensures each of Maryland's 18 major river basins are sampled within
a three-year period. This approach supports statistically valid population estimates
of variables such as densities of particular species of fish or the number of
miles of streams with degraded habitat. The MBSS sampling design also permits
rigorous characterization of the sources of variability in the data.
Parameters Sampled in the MBSS
The MBSS field studies involve collecting biological, physical, and water chemistry
data during the spring (March 1 to May 1) and summer (June 1 to September 30)
index periods. Benthic macroinvertebrates and water chemistry parameters are
sampled during the spring; fish, herpetofauna, crayfish, mussels, and macrophytes
are sampled, and the physical habitat is evaluated during the summer. Biological
variables are used to evaluate the ecological condition of streams within a
region or watershed. Habitat indicators are used to evaluate the condition of
the physical environment and determine how habitat condition contributes to
ecological condition. Information about water chemistry, land use, and other
anthropogenic stressors are used to describe and identify potential causes of
degraded ecological condition.
Current MBSS Field Sampling Methods For Amphibians and Reptiles
To date, amphibians and reptiles are sampled qualitatively during the summer
index period. A 15-minute search is conducted of the riparian area within 5
meters on both sides of the 75-m stream segment. Voucher specimens and individuals
not positively identifiable in the field are retained for examination and verification
in the laboratory. Periodically, specimens are submitted to taxonomic experts
at the Smithsonian Institution for verification or identification.
Any amphibians or reptiles collected during the electrofishing of the stream
segment for fish are also included in the tally. Double-pass electrofishing
is conducted throughout the 75-m stream segment. Block nets are placed at each
end of the segment and direct current backpack electrofishing units are used.
A consistent effort is applied over the two passes, sampling all available cover
and habitat structures throughout the segment. Fish population estimates are
corrected for the double-pass method by species and geographic area, but field
crews do not report the number of amphibian and reptile species sampled. Therefore,
no population estimates for amphibians and reptiles are possible.
Preliminary Findings on the Amphibians and Reptiles Component of the
MBSS
A total of 22 amphibian and 20 reptile species have been collected during the
1994, 1995, and 1996 MBSS sampling programs. The amphibian checklist includes
10 species of frogs and 12 species of salamanders; the reptile checklist includes
8 species of turtles; 2 species of lizards, and 10 species of snakes (see Table
1). Of the 22 amphibian species sampled, 18 species were found all three
years. Maryland DNR currently reports that 42 species of amphibians and 52 species
of reptiles are known from the state. Therefore, the MBSS has sampled 45% of
the state's herpetofauna and 52% of the state's amphibian species. The listing
of amphibians observed does not include any state-listed endangered, threatened,
or species of special concern (see Table
2).
In 1995, six of the 18 river basins in Maryland were sampled: Youghiogheny,
Upper Potomac, Lower Potomac, Patapsco, Chester, Choptank, and Nanticoke. The
Lower Potomac Basin had the highest species richness of amphibians and reptiles
(a mean of 4.1 species observed per site), with approximately twice the number
of species found in other basins. As expected from their aquatic affinity, amphibian
species (frogs, toads, and salamanders) were the most commonly observed groups,
occurring at more than 50% of the sites. Reptiles (turtles, snakes, and lizards)
were present at only 16%, 14%, and 3% of sites, respectively. The only discernable
pattern of herpetofaunal species richness among stream orders was the fact that
salamanders were more common in first-order streams, occurring at 63% of first-order
sites and only at 47% of larger order sites. The species richness of salamanders
in first-order streams may make them effective indicators of biological integrity
in small streams with few or no fish. Variation in geographic distributions
was greater for amphibians than reptiles. Specifically, frog species were observed
at a greater percentage of sites in the central and eastern portions of the
state than in western Maryland. In contrast, salamanders were most common in
the western part of the state but nearly absent on the eastern shore.
Future Plans for the Amphibians and Reptiles Component of the MBSS
Maryland DNR and the MBSS recognize the importance of amphibians and reptiles
to the native fauna of the state. DNR has recently conducted research aimed
at developing a statewide atlas of amphibian and reptile distributions. We believe
that the MBSS has potential as a component of this Maryland atlas program or
as a source of independent monitoring information on amphibians and reptiles.
The MBSS differs from most atlas programs in that it is planned, though not
yet funded, as a continuing effort. Because of this, the MBSS has the potential
to provide valuable trends information on amphibian populations that may shed
light on the conundrum of amphibian decline throughout the region and the globe.
With the goal of improving the information on amphibians and reptiles provided by the MBSS, DNR is considering the following modifications to its sampling methods (within projected time and budget constraints):
WE WELCOME YOUR SUGGESTIONS
We welcome your comments and suggestions for improving the utility of the amphibians
and reptiles component of the MBSS. Certain modifications may be incorporated
in time for implementation during the 1997 sampling program, scheduled to start
March 1. Major changes to the MBSS sampling program will likely be deferred
until after the three-year MBSS implementation period is completed in 1997;
such changes could be incorporated into a repeat of the baseline MBSS (e.g.,
in 2000) or in special studies to begin in 1998.
Please provide your comments in the format provided by the conference organizers,
or contact us directly at:
southerlandmar@versar.com
chailloujan@versar.com
pkazyak@dnr.md.state.us
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Laurel, MD, USA 20708-4038
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp3/naamp3.html
Contact: Sam Droege, email: Sam_Droege@usgs.gov
Last Modified: June 2002