- Sampling Procedure
- Snake Monitoring
- Frog Monitoring
- Salamander Monitoring
Reptiles (snakes, turtles, & lizards) & Amphibians (frogs & salamanders)
Staff surveyed snakes using one square meter corrugated metal panels along transects of 10 panels within a sample unit. Snakes use the panels for warming during cold periods and as refugia during other time periods (see [Snake Monitoring] tab). Workers checked the panels weekly and recorded species, quantity, and size. Workers passively observed turtles on SMSC. We often observed turtles as they cross roads moving from one water body to another and basking on logs, muskrat mounds, or other debris in wetlands (see [Photos] tab). We recorded species observed by sample unit. We never observed any lizards over the course of these surveys.
Staff surveyed frogs and salamanders (see [Photos] tab). We surveyed frogs from ice out until July using call surveys. Our methods were based on some of the protocols discussed in the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) but we modified the sampling procedures for SMSC’s relatively small acreage. Frog monitoring began no earlier than a half-hour after sunset weekly during the breeding season and in the same location each visit. Data sheets contain information on location, time, air temperature, water temperature, wind speed using Beaufort scale, and precipitation during visit and in the last 48 hours (see [Frog Monitoring] tab). We recorded a substantial amount of weather information since weather is a considerable factor in frog calling activity. Workers start the monitoring after one minute of silence at each location and continue for three minutes to assess all frog species and call intensities. We record species and calling intensity. Calling intensity is based on the NAAMP index. Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale), Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), and Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) are the only salamanders species that have been observed in Scott County according to the literature. We utilized 2 parallel line transects of 22 boards per line placed approximately 6 meters apart, and we cleared the ground of debris at each station to insure that the board was in direct contact with soil. Workers checked each station in the spring when temperatures were consistently above freezing at night for approximately 2 months, or until the daytime temperature consistently exceeded 50°F. In the fall, we checked the boards a month prior to the first hard frost in November. Workers surveyed weekly (see [Salamander Monitoring] tab).
