Maryland Amphibian & Reptile Atlas

IUCN Red List - 2010

2010 Source: IUCN 2010 Red List Summary Statistics http://www.iucnredlist.org/documents/summarystatistics/2010_4RL_Stats_Table_4a.pdf

Percent of Species Globally Threatened

• Amphibians 30%• Salamanders 49%• Frogs 29%

• Reptiles 21%• Turtles 62%• Snakes & Lizards

21%

Amphibian & Reptile DiversityMap of Amphibian DiversityGlobal = 6,600+ speciesUS = ~295 speciesMD = 41 species

Map of Reptile DiversityGlobal = 6,000+ speciesUS = ~316 speciesMD = 52 species

Amphibian Diversity-Hotspots

US is home to 25% of the world’s 522 salamander species

Eastern US is the world center of salamander diversity

Citation:Young, B. E., S. N. Stuart, J. S. Chanson, N. A. Cox, and T. M. Boucher. 2004. Disappearing Jewels: The Status of NewWorld Amphibians.NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.

Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Distribution

(from Peter Paul van Dijk, Conservation International)

Reptile Diversity

320 turtle species world-wide

57 (20% of the world's turtle species) are found in the US and Canada

Causes of Amphibian & Reptile Declines

•Habitat Loss– Fragmentation– Conversion

• Climate Change• Environmental

Pollution• Invasive Species• Pathogens &

Disease• Commercial Harvest2nd biggest driver of reptile

declines

Long-term Conservation of Amphibians & Reptiles

Amphibians and reptiles face serious conservation pressures.

Knowledge of current distribution patterns is vital for long-term conservation of amphibians and reptiles.

Citizen Science and the Conservation of Amphibians & Reptiles

Knowledge of current distribution patterns is vital for long-term conservation of amphibians and reptiles.

The need of knowledge of distribution patterns has led to multiple citizen science projects.

•Five-year project (2010-2014)•Citizen science project

Maryland Amphibian & Reptile Atlas

Joint project of the Natural History Society of Maryland & Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Photograph by Scott McDaniel

Purpose

Document the statewide distribution of Maryland’s amphibians and reptiles using a systematic and repeatable approach

Last published distribution of MD herps – Harris 1975

Find rare species locations for future conservation efforts

Educate the public about the importance and value of this group of organisms

Results of the Atlas will allow changes in amphibian and reptile distributions to be monitored over time

• Grid-based system using U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 minute quadrangles (quad)

• Each quad is further divided into six blocks, 10 square miles each

• Each county is assigned a county coordinator

• A free Google Earth application is available to determine quad & block location – Download from the MARA

website http://www.marylandnature.org/mara

MARA Methods- the basics

Overview of Atlas Methods- Coverage Goals

• 10 species per Atlas block

AND

• 25 species per Atlas quadOR

• 25 hours per Atlas quad

One data sheet per atlas block per year

Photograph by Matthew Kirby

Overview of Atlas Methods- Data Collection

Observer• Opportunistic

sightings

Volunteers collect data in two ways

Surveyor• Active searches for

herps

Overview of Atlas Methods- Data Verification

Acceptable Verification Evidence

• Photodocumentation• Sound recording for frogs and toads• Detailed description of individual• Specimen (if legal)• Remains (if legal)

Verification is required for particular species.

Photographs are encouraged for submissions but are not required for all species

How you can help

Submit any and all amphibian and reptile sightings!

• Email data sheet with sightings documented throughout the year for a single block

• OPPORTUNISTIC SIGHTINGS: Email us the date, location, picture, & as much information as possible about the animal– County Coordinator-George Jett- gmjett@comcast.net – atlas@marylandnature.org

Results 2010-present

• Over 500 volunteers• 13,000+ records• 12,000+ hours• 85 of Maryland’s 93

species have been detected– 31 reports of non-native

species

MARA Highlights

Rainbow Snake, Charles Co. George Jett Barking Treefrog, Kent Co.Kyle Loucks

Timber Rattlesnake, Frederick Co.

Photograph by Heather Cunningham

Mountain Earthsnake, Garrett Co. Photograph by Bill Hubick

Jefferson Salamander, Montgomery Co. Photograph by Rachel Gauza

Eastern Tiger Salamander, Kent Co. Photograph by Kyle Loucks

Finding out more………..

• MARA website– www.marylandnature.org/

mara

• MARA Handbook

• NHSM Meetup Site– Upcoming herp outings– www.meetup.com/

marylandnature

MARA Facebook Page

MARA Project Planning Committee• Glenn Therres * Maryland Department of Natural Resources• Charles Davis * Natural History Society of Maryland• Christopher Swarth * Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary• Scott A. Smith Maryland Department of Natural Resources• David Smith Coastal Resources, Inc.• Rachel Gauza Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection• David Walbeck Maryland Department of the Environment• Wayne Hildebrand North American Amphibian Monitoring Program• Lynn Davidson Maryland Department of Natural Resources• Linda Weir United States Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center• Kyle Rambo Patuxent Naval Air Station, Environmental Department• Nate Nazdrowicz University of Delaware• Jim White Delaware Nature Society• Don Forester Towson University• Joel Snodgrass Towson University• Matt Evans Smithsonian Institution, National Zoological Park• * Co-Chair

• MARA County Coordinators• All volunteers who generously donated time to the MARA project

• Grants provided, in part, by State Wildlife Grant funds provided to the state wildlife agencies by US Congress and administered through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife and Heritage Service.

Acknowledgments

Thank you!

Photograph by Chris Swarth