The Effects of Urbanization on Amphibian and Reptile Populations In the Piedmont Area

Catlyn Johnson

Abstract

Reptiles and amphibian populations are in decline due to habitat loss and degradation, pollution, and many other factors that can be related back to urbanization. Studying the types of urbanization factors that affect the reptile and amphibian populations can lead to more effective and efficient conservation plans. We collected various data, such as length, weight, growth rings (for eastern box turtles), and GPS coordinates, on different species of reptiles and amphibians through terrestrial surveys. To take data on stream salamanders, we made leaf litter bags that consisted of mesh, wet leaf litter, and a natural weight to create an attractive refuge for the salamanders. We flipped the rocks within five meters on either side of the bags we planted and caught the salamanders with a handheld mesh net before placing them into a bucket to be identified and photographed as needed before we released them back into the stream. We also used telemetry to consistently find the locations of box turtles. We did this data gathering at about fifteen different sites ranging from heavily urbanized to heavily forested. We predict that the species abundance will be lower in the more urbanized sites than in the less urbanized sites in the next several years. Once we identify the urbanization factors that have the most negative effects on amphibian and reptile population, we can find a better method of conservation.

 
Mar 30th, 9:45 AM

The Effects of Urbanization on Amphibian and Reptile Populations In the Piedmont Area

Founders Hall 213 B

Reptiles and amphibian populations are in decline due to habitat loss and degradation, pollution, and many other factors that can be related back to urbanization. Studying the types of urbanization factors that affect the reptile and amphibian populations can lead to more effective and efficient conservation plans. We collected various data, such as length, weight, growth rings (for eastern box turtles), and GPS coordinates, on different species of reptiles and amphibians through terrestrial surveys. To take data on stream salamanders, we made leaf litter bags that consisted of mesh, wet leaf litter, and a natural weight to create an attractive refuge for the salamanders. We flipped the rocks within five meters on either side of the bags we planted and caught the salamanders with a handheld mesh net before placing them into a bucket to be identified and photographed as needed before we released them back into the stream. We also used telemetry to consistently find the locations of box turtles. We did this data gathering at about fifteen different sites ranging from heavily urbanized to heavily forested. We predict that the species abundance will be lower in the more urbanized sites than in the less urbanized sites in the next several years. Once we identify the urbanization factors that have the most negative effects on amphibian and reptile population, we can find a better method of conservation.