Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher. ---Wordsworth
In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous. ---Aristotle
No man ever steps in the same river twice. ---Heraclitus
Nothing in biology makes sense except in light of evolution.
---Dobzhansky
To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering. ---Leopold
A bad day in the field is still better than a good day in the lab. ---Hecnar
Lake Superior Herp Monitoring
Measuring a Painted turtle's carapace length Photo: S. Hecnar
Concerns regarding widespread declines of amphibians and reptiles have led to the development of numerous monitoring programs throughout the world. The purpose of most of these programs is to determine if long-term trends in species abundance or occupancy are occurring. To determine if there are widespread declines, numerous locations across large areas must be surveyed. Unfortunately, a tradeoff in monitoring on large geographic scales is that the number of times individual sites can be surveyed are limited. Consequently, most monitoring programs are spatially extensive but locations are generally surveyed on only a few dates per year. Because of the inherent variation in daily and seasonal activity patterns of amphibians and reptiles, insufficient sampling effort tends to underestimate species presence by generating false absences (the species was present but not detected). Another issue monitoring programs face is finding the best survey method to detect target species. It is important to resolve these issues before new monitoring programs are initiated or to improve existing programs.
Minnow trap used to capture tadpoles and salamanders Photo: S. Hecnar
The distribution of herpetofauna in Lake Superior Basin of North America is incompletely understood relative to other regions. The basin contains extensive wilderness and some of the most rugged landscapes in North America. Establishing benchmarks in this relatively natural area is important for future comparisons before development expands. A need for monitoring herpetofauna in the basin has been identified and there is interest in developing monitoring programs and data sharing among researchers and state, provincial, and federal agencies on both sides of the United States and Canada border. My colleague, Dr. Gary Casper, and i are conducting initial research and facilitating the development of a binational herpetofaunal monitoring program for the Lake Superior Basin.
Cover board used for surveying snakes Photo: S. Hecnar
We studied the effectiveness of six standard survey techniques for detecting presence of amphibians and reptiles in the Lake Superior Basin. We sampled intensively at 14 sites in each of 4 locations (2 in Canada, 2 in US) to determine detection probabilities for each species throughout the activity season. In 2006, we conducted surveys in the Thunder Bay District of Ontario and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan to represent the northern and southern portions of the basin. In 2007, we are conducted surveys in Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario and the Moquah Barrens in Wisconsin to represent the eastern and western portions of the basin. In this study we determined the efficacy of various survey methods and provided detection probabilities that can be used to calculate percent area occupied estimates for four regions in the basin. We are also expanding an existing database on amphibians and reptiles in the basin. We are providing recommendations on appropriate survey methodologies for use by various agencies that are interested in conducting extensive monitoring in the basin and to permit sharing of relevant information among interested parties. In 2011 we are training, facilitating data sharing and augmenting the monitoring efforts of various agencies in both the US and Canada. Our efforts continue to help develop a binational herpetofaunal monitoring program for the entire Lake Superior Basin and to increase knowledge of herpetofaunal distribution in insufficiently explored portions of the region. We have recently developed recommended Standard Operating Procedures for use in the Lake Superior Basin.
Baited hoop trap for live captures of turtles Photo: S. Hecnar
Initial funding was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency GLNPO Program and administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with some matching funds provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Some student salary support was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada USRA Program. Current funding is provided by the US EPA's GLRI funds and administered through the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC). Pukaskwa National Park is providing valuable inkind support.
Visual encounter surveys for salamanders and other amphibians Photo: S. Hecnar
Access to field sites was kindly provided by the US National Park Service, Ontario Parks, Chequamegon National Forest, Parks Canada, City of Thunder Bay, Lakehead Region Conservation Authority, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Hydro One, Bowater, Loch Lomond Ski Area, Mount Baldy Ski Area and numerous private landowners.