Apex Sites
Apex Sites are specific National Parks or National Wildlife Refuges where intensive amphibian research and monitoring is being conducted. Research is aimed at answering questions about amphibian declines, diseases, and malformations or gathering more detailed information about the dynamics of particular amphibian populations.
Acadia National Park, Maine
- Amphibian and Reptile Species List
- Stream Salamanders
- Four-toed Salamanders
- Mercury Levels in Salamanders
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
- Amphibian and Reptile Species List
- Mercury Levels in Salamanders
- Terrestrial Salamanders
- We are monitoring populations of terrestrial salamanders (Plethodon cinereus, Plethodon cylindraceus) at 24 15 m2 plots throughout the Park. Initially we used capture-recapture methods at these plots, marking salamanders with visible implant fluorescent elastomer to determine detection probabilities. Our goal in this long-term monitoring project is to detect fluctuations in population size, sex ratio, survival, and recruitment.
- Stream Salamanders
- We have been monitoring populations of stream salamanders (Desmognathus, Eurycea, Gyrinophilus, and Pseudotriton species) at 9 streams in the Park since 1998. In 1999, we conducted a stratified random survey of 49 streams in the Park.
- Vernal Pool Amphibians
- We are monitoring wood frog and spotted salamander populations at all of the known vernal pools (four currently) in the Park.