Inventory of the amphibians and reptiles of the Fort Donelson National Battlefield, Stewart County, Tennessee
Scott AF and Davenport J. 2005. Inventory of the amphibians and reptiles of the Fort Donelson National Battlefield, Stewart County, Tennessee. Clarksville, TN
We inventoried the amphibians and reptiles of Fort Donelson National Battlefield over a 20-month period beginning 1 January 2004 and ending 30 August 2005. Sampling was conducted using a variety of methods including random plot surveys, drift fences with pit and funnel traps, stream-reach searches, road cruising, a tin transect, and haphazard searches. The battlefield was visited at least twice monthly, but more often than not weekly trips took place, especially during periods of peak amphibian and reptile activity. Overall, 433 individuals representing 37 species were encountered within the battlefield’s boundaries. Seventeen species (46%) were amphibians and 20 species (54%) were reptiles. Amphibians included seven species of salamanders and 10 species of frogs and toads. Species totals for reptiles were two turtles, four lizards, and 14 snakes. No state or federal listed species were among those documented. Plot sampling was the most effective method at detecting individuals and species, but was rivaled by road cruising, especially when it came to number of species detected. Results suggest that the herpetofauna of Fort Donelson National Battlefield is typical of what has been found in the region, especially considering its size and habitat diversity.iv
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Scott, A.; Davenport, Jon
- Date of Issue
- 2005-12
- Units
- CUPN , FODO
- Keywords
- Amphibian, Amphibian and Reptile Inventory, Fauna, Herp, Herp inventory, Herps Inventory Reports, Inventory, Reptile, Vertebrate