Distribution, Abundance, and Habitat Associations of Amphibians and Reptiles at the Home of 2 Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, an Urban Protected Area
Dean SH. 2017. Distribution, Abundance, and Habitat Associations of Amphibians and Reptiles at the Home of 2 Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, an Urban Protected Area. SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry. Syracuse, NY
Recreational trails fragment habitat within protected areas set aside for amphibian and reptile conservation, potentially generating habitat “edge effects” that affect population persistence and community structure. Lack of research on effects of trails on amphibians and reptiles hinders conservation planning for protected areas. Habitat associations of herpetofauna were examined at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Hyde Park, New York during 2015 and 2016. Habitat edges exerted a stronger negative influence on relative amphibian abundance than did trails, although trail effects did occur and were primarily driven by loss of microhabitats for amphibians (low sample size precluded assessment for reptiles). Effects of trails and habitat edges were additive. These findings highlight the need to consider recreational trails in habitat planning for conservation of herpetofauna, particularly in urban protected areas.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Dean, Samantha
- Date of Issue
- 2017-05
- Publisher
- SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
- Units
- HOFR
- Keywords
- Ambystoma maculatum, amphibian, edge effect, habitat, Lithobates sylvaticus, New York, Notophthalmus viridescens, Plethodon cinereus, protected area., Pseudacris crucifer
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Wetland Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Riparian Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities