Biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians in Everglades National Park: an updated species list with habitat associations

Howington, Tonya

Protecting biodiversity is important for Everglades National Park (EVER). EVER was the first park to have its biodiversity recognized in its enabling legislation enacted in 1934. Field monitoring in EVER is challenging, and consequently, elucidating details of the park’s biodiversity is a slow and complicated effort. In order to progress more rapidly, EVER updated the dataset of species and habitat associations developed under a project funded by the Critical Ecosystems Studies Initiative (CESI) using a comprehensive literature review that included citizen science databases. EVER is recommending that the South Florida and Caribbean Inventory and Monitoring Network (SFCN) use the CESI dataset to update the internet accessible species lists on NPSpecies.org. The SFCN provided a quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) analysis of the updated CESI species lists. Predictions were made of the spatial distribution of species by comparing their preferred habitats to vegetative communities found within EVER’s physiographic regions. This report addresses the reptile and amphibian species found within EVER. This analysis refined our understanding of how native, threatened and endangered, and non-native species may affect overall biodiversity. Recommendations are included regarding next steps for refining the list of reptile and amphibian species and potential initiation of long-term monitoring of reptile and amphibian biodiversity in EVER. Other reports will address birds, mammals, and fish. Additional taxonomic groups will be addressed in separate reports as the information is collected and vetted as appropriate.

Biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians in Everglades National Park: an updated species list with habitat associations

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