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.

Presenting Author Name/s

Julianne Jones

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

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Mar 25th, 8:30 AM Mar 25th, 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.