Acadia National Park Projects
Characterizing four toed salamander Nesting Habitat in Maine
We
are characterizing the nesting habitat of the four toed salamander (Hemidactylium
scutatum), a "species of special concern" in Maine, Vermont, and Massachussetts.
Only 30 records of individuals exist for this species in Maine. Knowledge
of species-habitat relationships is needed to assess amphibian population
health. Little is known about the distribution, status, or habitat relationships
of four toed salamanders in any portion of their range, which extends from
Nova Scotia to Florida to Minnesota. Survey protocols have also not been established.
We conducted a variety of surveys during 2001 in Acadia National Park, Maine, to detect and develop survey methodology for the species. We discovered 52 four-toed salamanders and 25 nests in 8 wetlands. In 2002, we investigated 30 randomly selected wetlands for the species. We recorded descriptions of the nesting habitat at 111 actual nest sites and at 263 randomly selected points within wetlands. We are currently building models of the 2002 data to predict where the species nests in the Park. The models will be validated and then tested with data collected during 2003 from additional wetlands in Acadia National Park and from wetlands at additional locations in Maine.
Contacts
Rebecca Chalmers (M.S. Student, Ecology and Environmental Sciences Program)
5755 Nutting Hall, Department of Wildlife Ecology
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5755
(207) 581-2939
rebecca.chalmers@umit.maine.edu
Dr. Cynthia S. Loftin (Principle Investigator)
USGS-BRD Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research
Unit 5755 Nutting Hall University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5755
(207) 581-2843
cyndy_loftin@umenfa.maine.edu
Mercury Bioaccumulation in Two-Lined Salamanders
The
principal goal of this investigation is to quantify mercury concentrations
of two-lined salamanders (Eurycea bislineata) from headwater stream
ecosystems in Acadia and Shenandoah National Parks. Additionally, mercury
data has been collected from the paired and gauged watershed sites at Bear
Brook in Beddington, Maine, which has had an ammonium sulfate treatment applied
to one watershed (West Bear Brook) since November 1989. East Bear Brook serves
as a control stream, and its watershed receives no treatment of ammonium sulfate.
This project is also assessing multi-scale habitat relationships, population
density, and size and age class distributions of adult and larval two-lined
salamanders. Assessment of mercury contamination in this species will also
include a geographical information system (GIS) model of the spatial patterns
of mercury levels in these salamanders across the landscape in both Acadia
and Shenandoah. USGS-BRD ARMI, Declining Amphibian Population Task Force,
Eastern National Parks and Monuments, USGS-BRD Maine Cooperative Research
Unit, and the University of Maine fund the project.
Contacts
Michael Bank (PhD Candidate)
Ecology and Environmental Sciences Program
University of Maine
(207) 581-2961
Michael_Bank@umit.maine.edu
Dr. Cynthia Loftin (Principle Investigator)
USGS-BRD
Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
University of Maine
(207) 581-2843
Cyndy_Loftin@umenfa.maine.edu