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Annual Migrations of Forest Amphibians

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Annual Migrations of Forest Amphibians Annual Migrations of Forest Amphibians Photo by L. Heady Laura Heady Conservation and Land Use Coordinator Hudson River Estuary Program Hudson River Estuary …an arm of the sea • 153 miles from NY Harbor to Troy • Tidal to Troy Dam • ~60 tributaries to Hudson Photo by L. Heady • 85% of NY’s amphibians (28 species) are found in the watershed! (Penhollow et al. 2006) Photo by Laura Heady Photo by NYSDEC Today’s Focus: Vernal Pool Breeding Amphibians Photo by Erik Kiviat Photo by Charlie West Exciting Facts about Pool-Breeding Amphibians in the Hudson Valley • They are terrestrial and live in the forest! • They breed in vernal pools! • Their larvae are aquatic! Photos by L. Heady A B Forest Habitat Vernal Pool Habitat • fallen logs • surrounded by forest • leaf litter • isolated wetland • small animal burrows • seasonal inundation Photos by L. Heady salamander larvae wood frog tadpoles salamander egg masses Heady L. Photos by m spotted salamander a Photo by Laura Heady n y Photo by L. Heady Jefferson’s salamander blue-spotted salamander Photo by Laura Heady Photo by Erik Kiviat These commonly hybridize. Jefferson/blue-spotted s salamander complex o m e Photo by Josh Hunn Jefferson/blue-spotted salamander complex Photo by Brian Houser Jefferson/blue-spotted salamander complex Photo by Jim Clayton marbled salamander f e w (breeds in the fall) Photo by Brian Houser m wood frog a n y Photo by M. Barnhart wood frog More! Exciting Facts about Pool-Breeding Amphibians in the Hudson Valley • They are largely nocturnal. • They practice cutaneous air exchange! Photos by L. Heady Photo by L. Heady When do they migrate? Migration Conditions • evening rain • thawed ground • night air temperature >~40F • late winter/early spring NOTE: Not to scale Why risk leaving cozy winter shelters so early in the season? Photo by L. Heady It’s a “Race Against Dryness!” salamander egg mass wood frog egg mass Photos by L. Heady When do they migrate? marbled salamander has a different life history strategy and migrates to pools for breeding in August and September Photo by Brian Houser NOTE: Not to scale More! Exciting Facts about Pool-Breeding Amphibians in the Hudson Valley • They practice natal philopatry! • Some migrate almost 1/2 mile to breed! Photo by L. Heady Migration Distance Species to Breeding Pools 400-800 m wood frog (1,300-2,625 ft) 35-100 m spotted salamander (115-305 ft) data from Massachusetts Jefferson’s and variable blue-spotted 21-625 m salamander (69-2050 ft) 0-450 m marbled salamander (0-1,475 ft) Data from Colburn 2004 NOTE: Not to scale Risks on the Migration Journey • vehicles • barriers (see photo) • predators • desiccation • collection Photo by C. West The Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossings Project Photo by L. Heady Photo by L. Heady Amphibian Migration & Road Crossings Project Photo by L. Fila Safety is very important! Photo by L. Heady “We very much enjoyed this experience with citizen science, and my daughter (7) used it for a learning fair project at school.” Photo by D. Bickford Photo by A. Rhoads “Laurel's project attracted a lot of attention -- I wouldn't be surprised if you had some more data coming from our school district next year.” Photo by L. Fila Teachable Moments & Educational Opportunities Allows for discussion of: • large forest conservation • small wetland conservation • forest and wetland systems • species conservation (SGCN) Photo by L. Heady • habitat complexes • habitat connectivity • land use • climate change Why is it important? • global amphibian decline habitat loss, alteration #1 • communities and landowners have important role • habitat connectivity builds resilience • pool-breeding amphibians will likely be especially vulnerable to climate change Photo by C. West Resources Amphibian Migrations & Road Crossings Project – NYSDEC Website AM&RC Email Alerts – NYSDEC Delivers (subscribe on project website) http://maps.tnc.org/migrations-in-motion/#4/35.75/-109.69 Thank you! Photo by L. Heady Laura Heady Hudson River Estuary Program Conservation and Land Use Coordinator Contact Information: NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program 21 South Putt Corners Road New Paltz, NY 12561 845-256-3061 [email protected] www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4920.html Photo by L. Heady.
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