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2017 Amphibian Road Crossing Study Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH

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2017 Amphibian Road Crossing Study Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 2017 Amphibian Road Crossing Study Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH Natural Resource Report NPS/HTLN/NRR—2018/1675 ON THE COVER Ambystoma maculatum, spotted salamander, at its breeding pool in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Photo by Doug Marcum 2017 Amphibian Road Crossing Study Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH Natural Resource Report NPS/HTLN/NRR—2018/1675 Sonia N. Bingham, Douglas J. Marcum, Brendan C. Morgan National Park Service Heartland Network Cuyahoga Valley National Park 15610 Vaughn Road Brecksville, Ohio 44141 Editing and Design by Tani Hubbard National Park Service & Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative 12661 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85748 July 2018 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conserva- tion and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natu- ral resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientif- ically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. This report received formal peer review by subject-matter experts who were not directly involved in the collec- tion, analysis, or reporting of the data, and whose background and expertise put them on par technically and scientifically with the authors of the information. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S. Government. This report is available from the Heartland I&M Network website, and the Natural Resource Publications Management website. If you have difficulty accessing information in this publication, particularly if using assistive technology, please email [email protected]. Please cite this publication as: Bingham, S. N., D. J. Marcum, and B. C. Morgan. 2018. 2017 Amphibian road crossing study: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH. Natural Resource Report NPS/HTLN/NRR—2018/1675. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. NPS 644/146616, July 2018 ii 2017 Amphibian Road Crossing Study: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH Contents Page Figures . iv Tables . iv Abstract . .. v Acknowledgments . vi Introduction . .. vii Methods . ix Results . xii Discussion . .. xvi Management Considerations . ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������xvii Temporary Road Closures . xvii Long-Term Migration Tunnels . xvii Literature Cited . ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� xix National Park Service iii Figures Page Figure 1. View of the Riverview Road survey area, showing the survey zone, transects, nearby water- ways, wetlands and park infrastructure in Cuyahoga Valley NP. x Figure 2. Sampling design used to estimate rates of amphibian road mortality at the Riverview Road survey area in Cuyahoga Valley NP. ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ xi Figure 3. Total number of amphibians counted by survey date during the 2017 road crossing survey on Riverview Road in Cuyahoga Valley NP. ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� xii Figure 4. Total number of vehicles and amphibians recorded during 20-minute surveys intervals on migration dates with more than 10 individuals observed at the Riverview Road survey area in Cuyahoga Valley NP. xiv Figure 5. Zoomed in view of the Riverview Road survey area, showing the area (near Transect 6) that should be considered for the placement of a migration tunnel. xviii Tables Page Table 1. Pond breeding amphibian species with spring migrations and approximate breeding times based on recent documentation within Summit and Cuyahoga Counties. ������������������������������������������������������������������� viii Table 2. Mortality rates for all pond-breeding amphibians observed during the 2017 road crossing survey at the Riverview Road location in Cuyahoga Valley NP. xii Table 3. Amphibian mortality survey dates and associated weather conditions during the 2017 road crossing survey at Cuyahoga Valley NP. xiii Table 4. Road mortality estimates at the Riverview Road reach during the 2017 road crossing survey (February 28 – May 5) in Cuyahoga Valley NP. xv iv 2017 Amphibian Road Crossing Study: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH Abstract Each year from February through April in northeastern Ohio, many amphibian species use temperature and moisture cues to emerge from their terrestrial burrows in the forest and begin migration en masse to vernal pools, where they breed. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (NP) has documented high quality vernal pools. Of the 14 species of anurans and five species of pond-type mole salamanders with spring migrations in Ohio, 11 (79%) have been documented in or near the park. Direct vehicle mortality during the migration season is one of many factors contributing to amphibian decline worldwide and the extensive road system throughout Cuyahoga Valley NP contributes to local seasonal mortality. Public land managers have an opportunity to preserve and protect the amphibians and breeding pools that occur within the boundaries of the lands they manage. This road crossing study was developed to estimate mortality rates during migration across Riverview Road, in a section of road that is adjacent to one of only about a dozen known breeding pools (Wetland 332, aka Everett Swamp) for ambysto- mid salamander reproduction within the park. Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network staff and Cuyahoga Valley NP Resource Management staff worked together to survey mortality during migrations across Riverview Road. We began surveys in late winter when weather conditions were appropriate for migrations, with forecasted low temperatures greater than 50°F and consistent precipitation or high humidity. We established a 212.14 m (696 ft) survey reach to estimate the mortal- ity rates for amphibians moving east from the forested slopes along Oak Hill toward the western edge of Wetland 332. Counts of successful (live) and unsuccessful (dead) crossings were made throughout the survey reach. We surveyed nine nights between February 28 and May 4 in 2017 and counted a total of 501 individuals, repre- senting eight pond-breeding amphibian species. Migration activity was steady at the Riverview survey area during the breeding season because of the large and diverse breeding habitat at Wetland 332. However, 91.42% of the individuals moved on three “mass migration” nights. Spring peepers and American toads were the species observed most frequently during the survey and they also had the most road mortality, at 26.98% and 17.27% respectively. Wood frogs, spotted salamanders, grey tree frogs,and green frogs were also killed by road traffic. Mortality rates averaged 21.2% and were highest when weather patterns prompted amphibian movement to occur earlier in the night (8:40-9:40 p.m.) when vehicle traffic was not at its peak, but remained steady (32 cars/ hr). This study suggests that Wetland 332 is a valuable breeding pool for eight different amphibian species and efforts to minimize road mortality here could help to conserve local amphibian abundance. Cuyahoga Valley NP has an extensive road system adjacent to large wetland complexes and vernal pools, and similar sources of mortality have been observed in several other areas of the park. Some management considerations are provided regarding future monitoring needs and conservation actions. National Park Service v Acknowledgments Many individuals contributed to the success of this project. Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Operations Committee and Deputy Superintendent, Paul Stoehr, provided approval and management support for the road crossing study. Lisa Petit, Chief of Resource Management, and Maureen Finnerty, Field Operations Supervisor of Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services allowed staff time towards completion of this project. Chris Davis, Ryan Trimbath, Dillon Dalton, Heather Berenson, Mike Greisiger, Margo Roseum, and Ashley Farinacci were on call and dependable field assistants. The Virginia Kendall Maintenance team provided silt fencing and traffic calming equipment to complete the project safely. They also provided a liaison with Summit County -offi cials to help coordinate potentially
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