Biological Monitoring at Intervale Lowlands: Amphibians and Reptiles

Sampling Protocol, Revised April 25, 2014. Intervale Lowlands Preserve Ezra Schwartzberg, Adirondack Research LLC. Saranac Lake, NY 12983 Available online: Protocol: www.intervalelowlands.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/amphibians-reptiles.pdf GIS files: http://intervalelowlands.org/mapping/

Photo © Larry Master

Background and Objectives Monitoring amphibians in a climate change context, which includes regular periodic phenology observations in spring, will provide data on spring emergence and first occurrence of species that are temperature and habitat dependent. Monitoring over time will provide information about abundance and diversity. We are not attempting to document distribution of species across the preserve, but rather are concentrating on specific habitats and species. Amphibian and reptile monitoring started at Intervale Lowlands Preserve in 2014. Nine amphibians and three reptiles had been observed and recorded in iNaturalist from the Preserve. Target Species This protocol describes a set of monitoring activities targeting amphibians and reptiles. There are several frogs, salamanders, and snakes found on the preserve. Different monitoring methods are used depending on the species of focus. For example, some frogs are best monitored through call surveys. Other frogs, such as wood and pickerel frogs lend themselves to egg count surveys because of their conspicuous egg masses in standing pools. Salamanders, like the red-backed salamander are best monitored through visual encounter surveys. A list of monitoring techniques and corresponding species are listed below.

Anuran Calling Surveys (ACS): Frogs Egg Mass Counts: Wood frogs and spotted salamanders Visual Encounter Surveys (VES): Red-backed salamanders and others Coverboards: Snakes and salamanders Incidental Observations: All amphibians and reptiles

Methods Five primary survey methods are currently employed at Intervale Lowlands Preserve. Anuran Calling Surveys (ACS) are performed at weekly intervals in Spring, then monthly in June and July. Egg mass counts in vernal pools are conducted in early May. Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) are done two times in the summer, primarily targeting red-backed salamanders in May and late June. Cover boards which have been placed around the preserve, are checked monthly from June-August. These observations, as well as incidental observations, are recorded in iNaturalist. Protocols

Anuran Calling Surveys: Adapted from (Heyer et al. 1994) and (Beguin et al., 2014). http://www.esf.edu/aic/documents/Adirondack_Wetland&CC_CitSciHandbook_v1.pdf

Site / sampling placement This protocol consists of five sampling stations located at Intervale Lowlands

Preserve. The locations of these five sampling sites can be viewed via our GIS file-set on the layer (Frog_Salamander_Sites.kmz) using the mapping link above. Our sites were

selected for presence of habitat supporting amphibians and ease of access. Three of the five sites are located at the three lean-tos on the preserve.

Sampling procedure

1. Determine if weather conditions are suitable for anuran calling surveys (winds less than 12 miles per hour, no heavy rain). Warmer nights are preferred over seasonally cool nights.

2. Begin surveys 30 minutes after sunset. 3. Walk to first call station and take air and water temperature readings. 4. Wait 5 minutes (quietly) before starting survey. 5. Turn on recorder if using one, start timer, and observe quietly for five minutes 6. Record species heard during the listening period 7. Record the call index for each species (see below)

0 = No frogs calling 1 = individual calls are distinguishable and are not overlapping 2 = individuals distinguishable, but with overlapping calls 3 = full chorus (completely overlapping calls) too numerous to count

8. Record all information, then continue on to next survey point.

Collection interval Anuran Calling Surveys (ACS) are performed at weekly intervals in Spring (Mid April and May), then monthly in June and July. Warmer evenings with little to no wind are better than cooler windy days. Weather variation makes it difficult to monitor at consistent intervals, however, it is best to try to monitor every week in spring and once a month during June and July.

Egg Mass Counts: Adapted from (Ryan, 2012).

Site / sampling placement This protocol consists of five vernal pool sampling locations at Intervale

Lowlands Preserve. Sampling site locations can be viewed via our GIS file-set on the layer (Egg_Mass_locations.kmz). Our sites were selected for presence of habitat supporting spotted salamanders and wood frogs, as well as for ease of access. The two species, wood frogs and spotted salamanders, lend themselves to quantitative sampling because they are found in smaller pools, are distinguishable for species identification, and are relatively easy to quantify. Bull frog eggs are also easy to identify, but harder to quantify.

Sampling procedure

1. Measure vernal pool at start of monitoring season 2. Walk perimeter of vernal pool and record globs of egg masses 3. Photograph egg masses when possible 4. Record number of masses and number of globules in each mass 5. Record species 6. Record water temperature and searching time for each pool

Collection interval Egg mass surveys are conducted in spring at Intervale Lowlands during April. As a rule of thumb, Tax Day (April 15th), is an appropriate time to start looking for egg masses. Eggs need to be observed and counted during a relatively short window of time. This makes sense since they will hatch if one waits too long. It works best to look for eggs on a weekly basis starting in April, then perform the counts a few days after seeing egg masses. Each species needs to be counted only once.

Visual Encounter Surveys (VES): Adapted from (Ryan, 2012).

Site / sampling placement We perform visual encounter surveys on Eastern red-backed salamanders in two areas at Intervale Lowlands where they are likely to occur. To date, only one red-backed salamander has been observed on the preserve. This sample was collected in a pit-fall trap in the sand pit (44.277216, -73.945651). The sites we have selected for performing our red-backed salamander visual encounter surveys are located near this location within favorable habitat. The two red-backed salamander monitoring sites can be viewed via our GIS file-set on the layer (Frog_Salamander_Sites.kmz).

Sampling procedure 1. Walk to search area (record starting point with GPS). 2. Pace an area 100 m2 3. Search under rocks and logs within the 100 m2 area at a rate of about 100 m2 per

ten minutes 4. Photograph any salamanders observed and add to iNaturalist. If many are

observed, then there is no need to photograph more than one or two from each site. 5. If few or no salamanders are observed in the first ten minutes, expand the search

to an adjacent 100 m2 area. Continue searching for a total of 500 m2 area or until 25 salamanders are observed, whichever comes first.

Collection interval

Red-backed salamanders are present mid-summer. Mid-July is a good time to search at Intervale Lowlands. Our current record is from the beginning of September. In 2014, July 6th and July 17th searches yielded no red-backed salamanders. Once the best time of year for finding red-backed salamanders is established, one sampling per season should be all that is needed.

Coverboards (Snakes and Salamanders): Adapted from (Ryan, 2012).

Site / sampling placement There are 7-10 coverboards located on trails and in wooded habitat at Intervale Lowlands. Most boards are metal, either sheet metal or garbage can lids. Sites can be viewed via our GIS file-set on the layer (Cover_Boards.kmz).

Sampling procedure

1. Coverboards are checked periodically throughout the summer months 2. Record all observation in iNaturalist

Coincidental Observations: All amphibians and reptiles

There is no set sampling procedure for coincidental observations, however we recommend recording observations, with photos if possible, at iNaturalist.org. Sample processing and preliminary data recording Data on amphibians and reptiles is recorded in iNaturalist and in spreadsheets. Coincidental and coverboard observations only need to be recorded in iNaturalist, however Visual Encounter Surveys for red-backed salamanders, egg-mass counts, and Anuran Call Surveys need to also be recorded into a spreadsheet. An anuran call survey data sheet is available at http://intervalelowlands.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/AnuranDataSheet.pdf Identification procedure and preliminary data analysis All amphibians need to be identified to species. Anuran Calling Surveys are recorded using the Anuran Data Sheet and each season’s data is sent to Steve Langdon as part of the EPA project to “Develop a Monitoring Framework for Detecting Wetland Response to Climate Change in the Adirondack Park”. Steve’s email address is sflangdo@gw.dec.state.ny.us Egg mass count data are recorded in iNaturalist as well as in a separate spreadsheet. Vernal pool delineations are saved as a GIS file. Visual Encounter Surveys are recorded in a spreadsheet. Coverboard and incidental observations are recorded in iNaturalist. Data archiving and analysis Phenology – We will perform spring monitoring over multiple years on amphibins using Anuran Calling Surveys. Data can be analyzed to calculate first of year calling Temperature accumulation (degree days), rainfall, and snowmelt date can also be analyzed as predictors of phenology and will aid in preliminary analysis of phenological relationships over an initial multi-year period. Timing of eggs and hatch can also be recorded and analyzed from year to year. Amphibian and reptile identification and phenology data, where appropriate, will be recorded into NPN Nature’s Notebook, Adirondack All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory, and iNaturalist.org. These databases are designed to facilitate citizen science involvement as well as outreach to the general public. Presence and turnover monitoring – Wood frog, spotted salamander, and red-backed salamander presence and abundance will be recorded for each year. Anuran Calling Survey data will be housed and analyzed through the EPA program as long as they are active. Over time, these records will provide data for monitoring arrivals and losses. Data will be analyzed periodically (every 5 years).

Alien impact monitoring – Any identified observations of known invasive species will be recorded in iNaturalist and will be reported to an appropriate organization if appropriate (e.g. APHIS PPQ). Over time, the presence and abundance of invasive species can be used to inform invasion history. References Heyer, R. W., M. A. Donnelly, R. W. McDiarmid, L. C. Hayek, M. S. Foster. 1994.

Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity – Standard Methods for Amphibians. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.

Cook, RP. Cook, Brotherton, DK, and Behler1, JL. Inventory of Amphibians and

Reptiles at Sagamore Hill, National Historic Site. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCBN/NRTR—2010/379 < http://www.nps.gov/nero/science/FINAL/SAHI_herps/SAHI_Herp.pdf>.

Beguin, S., P. Hai, S. Langdon, S. McNulty, D. Patrick, and M. Rooks (eds). 2013.

Developing a monitoring framework for detecting wetland response to climate change in the Adirondack Park: Citizen scientist handbook, March 2014 Edition. New York State Adirondack Park Agency, Ray Brook, NY. 51 pp.

Ryan, J. 2012. Field and Laboratory Techniques in Vertebrate Biology, Lulu. 247 pgs.