Inventory of Amphibians and Reptiles of Thomas Stone National Historic Site

Mitchell, Joseph

This inventory was conducted at Thomas Stone National Historic Site (THST) in 2002 and 2003, to (1) document 90% of the amphibians (frogs, salamanders) and reptiles (turtles, lizards, snakes) of THST, (2) describe their associated habitats, and (3) provide park staff with conservation and management recommendations. Survey methods included visual encounter surveys, audio surveys, and road surveys; dipnets, minnow traps, and turtle traps. Twelve species of frogs, nine salamander species, five turtle species, five lizard species, and 17 snake species were expected to occur at THST based on known distribution patterns in published literature. The proportion of species documented during this inventory was 67% for frogs, 56% for salamanders, 40% for turtles, 40% for lizards, and 24% for snakes. Total success was 62% of expected species for amphibians, and 30% for reptiles. These success levels are below what one would expect given the sampling effort. However, limitations caused by the drought conditions that prevailed during the study, the small size of the park, and the history of intense land use at THST contributed to the low species richness observed. Five habitat types used by amphibians and reptiles at THST were described during this inventory, which included grassland, mixed hardwoods, impoundments, vernal pools, and stream. All habitats surveyed support multiple species, and most species use both aquatic and terrestrial habitat types. Habitats that support relatively unique assemblages include hardwood forests and vernal pools. The combination of habitat types used by amphibians and reptiles at THST should be viewed as a matrix of habitats imbedded within the landscape rather than as a series of separate habitat types and should be protected as such. Although this study documented less than 90% of the expected number of species for several groups, there are opportunities to register additional species. This can be accomplished in one of two ways by park staff: routine accumulation of digital photographs of road-kills or live amphibians and reptiles encountered with appropriate documentation appended to the digital image, and the use of natural history (animal) sighting cards filled out by knowledgeable visitors. Verification of new species records should be confirmed by a herpetologist. Recommendations for THST resource management include: (1) Additional species inventory should be conducted for salamanders and snakes. Further work to document snake species at THST should include the use of coverboards as part of the sampling plan. (2) Areas of the park where there tend to be high concentrations of Box Turtles should be evaluated before opening them to recreational activities. (3) The public should not be allowed to release any animals that have been in captivity, and park management should educate park visitors on this issue. (4) Specific habitats at THST, including hardwood forests and vernal pools should be monitored on a regular basis for the occurrence and persistence of amphibians and reptiles. (5) Educational materials should be developed on ecology, flora and fauna, and interactions with human history at THST. (6) Park raccoon populations should be monitored, and population control measures implemented to protect all amphibians and reptiles, especially turtles and their nests. (7) A comprehensive natural resource management plan to conserve amphibians and reptiles at THST should be developed. (8) Long-term habitat management at THST should be viewed within the context of the landscape matrix in and around the park.

Inventory of Amphibians and Reptiles of Thomas Stone National Historic Site

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