Monitoring Amphibians in Gulf Coast Network Parks: Protocol Narrative—Version 2.0

Carlson, Jane; Woodman, Robert; Finney, William; Granger, Whitney; Bracewell, Jeff; Buhlmann, Kurt; Segura, Martha

The Inventory and Monitoring Division (IMD) of the National Park Service tracks the condition of natural resources on park lands through their Vital Signs Monitoring Program. Vital signs, in this context, include species, groups of organisms or natural processes that serve as indicators of ecosystem health. To implement the monitoring program, parks are grouped into regional networks that coordinate vital sign selection, design monitoring plans, and conduct long-term monitoring according to that plan. The Gulf Coast Network (GULN) of the IMD serves eight parks in the Gulf Coast region, and one of its highest priority vital signs is amphibians. Key reasons for monitoring amphibians are that (1) they are known to be highly sensitive to environmental conditions; (2) in and around the Gulf Coast region, amphibian diversity is high and includes many geographically restricted species; (3) amphibian populations are in decline across the globe, due to anthropogenic influences and environmental change. Thus, long-term data on amphibians provide reference points for resource condition in parks and can add breadth to regional, national and world-wide datasets. As described in this monitoring protocol, the Gulf Coast Network uses coverboards and PVC pipes for monitoring amphibians in focal habitats. When placed on the ground or in trees, respectively, these objects create artificial cover for a range of amphibian species, providing a favorable microclimate and allowing the animals to come and go unharmed. These cover objects are also easy to check, inexpensive and do not require disturbing logs or vegetation while monitoring. Each pipe or board is checked during park visits that take place every other month. In addition to recording the amphibian species present and the number of each, the crew records environmental conditions on-site, including temperature in and around pipes or boards, relative humidity, and water level in the nearest water body. Data on rainfall and temperature in the days prior to sampling are obtained from nearby weather stations.

Monitoring Amphibians in Gulf Coast Network Parks: Protocol Narrative—Version 2.0

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