Obed Wild and Scenic River Herpetological Inventory from 2003-2005- Raw Data

Meade, Leslie

Obed Wild and Scenic River (OBRI) is a unique environment within the Cumberland Plateau ecoregion, which supports diverse fauna. This natural area, like many others, needs accurate inventory information for management and protection of the area. From October 2003 through August 2004, an inventory of amphibians and reptiles was conducted to contribute to this collection of information about OBRI. Prior to the study, a list of expected species was compiled from several sources. The goal of the study was to find at least 90% of the expected species. Sampling methods included coverboards, road and access point surveys, random plot surveys, and specialized habitat surveys with sampling dates spread over 11 months. These surveys included both visual and audio (frog vocalizations) observations. Additionally, incidental observations during travel to and from plot were recorded, with one observation occurring in March 2005, during a trip to present the results of this survey. Despite being outside of the pre-determined study timeframe, this observation was included in the data. The study results showed 71% of the expected species with 2 additions from the possible species list and 2 from the unlikely species list. The surveyors suggest that additional time and effort would have resulted in additional species captures.