Advance the Capability of Conducting Long-Term Monitoring of Amphibians in the Great Lakes Basin: Task 1 Report: Effectiveness of Automated Recording Systems

Casper, Gary; Nadeau, Stefanie

The Lake Superior and Lake Michigan Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs; http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/lakesuperior/2006/index.html and http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/michigan.html), developed through the Binational Program (http://binational.net/home_e.html), share many goals and objectives with those of the National Park Service in the Western Great Lakes (NPS). Examples include the maintenance of healthy, diverse, self-sustaining native plant and animal communities; protection of high-quality ecosystems; restoration of degraded ecosystems; monitoring the abundance, distribution, and health of plant and animal populations and communities; and control of exotic and invasive species. To advance these common visions, goals, and objectives, the NPS will lend its expertise in several capacities for the mutual benefit of the Binational Program and the NPS. Five main components of this project are: 1. NPS involvement in the LaMP process; 2. Reestablish decommissioned stream gage; 3. Assess contaminates in bald eagles; 4. Advance capability to monitor amphibians; 5. Prepare restoration plans for wetlands and riparian areas and advance capability for wetland monitoring. Six Parks are involved in the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan basins: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Grand Portage National Monument, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore). Results from these parks are generally applicable to other Great Lakes basins, with adjustments for differing species assemblages. This report addresses Component 4: Advance capability to monitor amphibians. The amphibian project consisted of two tasks. This report addresses Task 1. Task 1. Determine the effectiveness of using electronic logging devices as part of an amphibian monitoring program. Task 2. Develop a monitoring network of agencies and organizations and develop a study design for long-term amphibian monitoring across the Lake Superior basin. Monitoring the abundance, distribution, and diversity of plant and animal populations and communities through standardized methods is a component of the Great Lakes LaMPs. Amphibians, while an important SOLEC indicator, are difficult to monitor with statistical rigor due to the cost involved with repeated visits in remote locations. Electronic logging devices (Song Meters) may provide a cost-effective means for monitoring amphibians in the Great Lakes basin, though preliminary assessment is needed. If the song meters prove to be an effective means of monitoring amphibian populations, their use will be incorporated into a protocol under development by GLKN.

Advance the Capability of Conducting Long-Term Monitoring of Amphibians in the Great Lakes Basin: Task 1 Report: Effectiveness of Automated Recording Systems

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