Habitat Utility by Herpetofauna at Blackwater Ecological Preserve
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Blackwater Ecological Preserve supports the southeast’s northernmost communities of in-tact Longleaf Pine savanna. Longleaf pine ecosystems support high levels of biodiversity, including the highest amphibian and reptile diversity of any terrestrial temperate zone ecosystem (Camper, 2005). Although numerous species of herpetofauna have evolved to inhabit this fire-managed ecosystem (ie. Frosted Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum), Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), etc.), Virginia is out of range for many of these well-adapted longleaf specialists. This presents an interesting opportunity to study how generalist species interact with the landscape when a longleaf pine ecosystem is present among habitat patches more typical of southeast Virginia. I have identified four distinct, adjacent habitat patches to be surveyed: pocosin wetlands, maple-gum swamp, longleaf pine savanna, and a longleaf restoration site. To estimate usage by amphibian and reptile species, I will conduct surveys using a variety of methods including hiking transects/visual encounter, night shining, flipping natural and artificial cover, anuran vocalization surveys, and checking PVC pipes. These will be done strategically to limit sampling bias. Essentially, the same number of hours will be spent collecting data in each unit, preferably in comparable conditions. I aim to evaluate relationships between species and habitat utility, when a properly managed longleaf pine ecosystem is available among a mosaic of habitats.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Erik Yando
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Biological Sciences Department
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Integrative Biology | Life Sciences
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Start Date
3-25-2023 8:30 AM
End Date
3-25-2023 10:00 AM
Habitat Utility by Herpetofauna at Blackwater Ecological Preserve
Learning Commons Lobby @ Perry Library
Blackwater Ecological Preserve supports the southeast’s northernmost communities of in-tact Longleaf Pine savanna. Longleaf pine ecosystems support high levels of biodiversity, including the highest amphibian and reptile diversity of any terrestrial temperate zone ecosystem (Camper, 2005). Although numerous species of herpetofauna have evolved to inhabit this fire-managed ecosystem (ie. Frosted Flatwoods Salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum), Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), etc.), Virginia is out of range for many of these well-adapted longleaf specialists. This presents an interesting opportunity to study how generalist species interact with the landscape when a longleaf pine ecosystem is present among habitat patches more typical of southeast Virginia. I have identified four distinct, adjacent habitat patches to be surveyed: pocosin wetlands, maple-gum swamp, longleaf pine savanna, and a longleaf restoration site. To estimate usage by amphibian and reptile species, I will conduct surveys using a variety of methods including hiking transects/visual encounter, night shining, flipping natural and artificial cover, anuran vocalization surveys, and checking PVC pipes. These will be done strategically to limit sampling bias. Essentially, the same number of hours will be spent collecting data in each unit, preferably in comparable conditions. I aim to evaluate relationships between species and habitat utility, when a properly managed longleaf pine ecosystem is available among a mosaic of habitats.