Herpetological Inventory of City of Rocks National Reserve 2001Upper Columbia Basin Network

Peterson, Charles; Shive, Jeremy

The primary objective of this inventory study was to complete field surveys throughout the City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho with the goal of documenting 90% of all amphibian and reptile species that potentially occur within the park. A second objective was to collect inventory information utilizing a study design which will allow information to be incorporated into a long-term monitoring program. A third objective was to develop distribution maps in a GIS format for Species of Special Concern or Species of Interest to resource mangers in the park. These data will be used to develop current inventory lists for both areas and will also provide baseline data for a region of the state where formal herpetological surveys and observations are lacking. These data will be incorporated into the Northern Intermountain Herpetological Database and will be shared with the Idaho Conservation Data Center to provide current information concerning statewide species distributions. Based on current range maps and historical observations, we identified 14 species of amphibians and reptiles as potentially present within the study area. We utilized multiple sampling techniques such as visual encounter surveys, road driving, and aquatic funnel traps to maximize the chance of detecting species present within the study area. We also incorporated a systematic sampling scheme which identified “Environmental Types” based on dominant vegetation type, slope, and aspect to provide a less biased sampling strategy for the study area. Site surveys were conducted over 16 total days beginning on June 8, 2001 and ending on July16, 2001. We observed seven species within the study area, none of which are considered Sensitive Species or Species of Special Concern. Only one amphibian species, the boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) was detected. We were denied access to survey the large wetland/pond complex along Circle Creek which lies on the Nicholson property, and further surveys in this area are suggested to determine other amphibian presence. Two species of lizards were observed, including the common sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) and the western skink (Eumeces skiltonianus). Four species of snakes were observed including the rubber boa (Charina bottae), the striped whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus), the gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer), and the terrestrial gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans). The common sagebrush lizard was the most widespread and abundant species with 100 observations throughout the study area accounting for 70% of the total observations. terrestrial gartersnakes were the most abundant snake species detected with 33 observations accounting for 23% of the total observations. The boreal chorus frog was the only amphibian species detected with 1 observation accounting for only 0.6% of the total observations.

Herpetological Inventory of City of Rocks National Reserve 2001Upper Columbia Basin Network

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