Maryland Amphibian & Reptile Atlas

IUCN Red List Source: IUCN 2010 Red List Summary Statistics Percent of Species Globally Threatened Amphibians 30% Salamanders 49% Frogs 29% Reptiles 21% Turtles 62% Snakes & Lizards 21%

Amphibian & Reptile Diversity Map of Amphibian Diversity Global = 6,600+ species US = ~295 species MD = 41 species Map of Reptile Diversity Global = 6,000+ species US = ~316 species MD = 52 species

Amphibian Diversity-Hotspots US is home to 25% of the world’s 522 salamander species Eastern US is the world center of salamander diversity Citation: Young, B. E., S. N. Stuart, J. S. Chanson, N. A. Cox, and T. M. Boucher Disappearing Jewels: The Status of NewWorld Amphibians.NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.

Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Distribution (from Peter Paul van Dijk, Conservation International) Reptile Diversity 320 turtle species world-wide 57 (20% of the world's turtle species) are found in the US and Canada

Causes of Amphibian & Reptile Declines Habitat Loss –Fragmentation –Conversion Climate Change Environmental Pollution Invasive Species Pathogens & Disease Commercial Harvest 2 nd biggest driver of reptile declines

Long-term Conservation of Amphibians & Reptiles Amphibians and reptiles face serious conservation pressures. Knowledge of current distribution patterns is vital for long-term conservation of amphibians and reptiles.

Citizen Science and the Conservation of Amphibians & Reptiles Knowledge of current distribution patterns is vital for long-term conservation of amphibians and reptiles. The need of knowledge of distribution patterns has led to multiple citizen science projects.

Five-year project ( ) Citizen science project Maryland Amphibian & Reptile Atlas Joint project of the Natural History Society of Maryland & Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photograph by Scott McDaniel

Purpose Document the statewide distribution of Maryland’s amphibians and reptiles using a systematic and repeatable approach Last published distribution of MD herps – Harris 1975 Find rare species locations for future conservation efforts Educate the public about the importance and value of this group of organisms Results of the Atlas will allow changes in amphibian and reptile distributions to be monitored over time

Grid-based system using U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 minute quadrangles (quad) Each quad is further divided into six blocks, 10 square miles each Each county is assigned a county coordinator A free Google Earth application is available to determine quad & block location –Download from the MARA website MARA Methods- the basics

Overview of Atlas Methods- Coverage Goals 10 species per Atlas block AND 25 species per Atlas quad OR 25 hours per Atlas quad One data sheet per atlas block per year Photograph by Matthew Kirby

Overview of Atlas Methods- Data Collection Observer Opportunistic sightings Volunteers collect data in two ways Surveyor Active searches for herps

Overview of Atlas Methods- Data Verification Acceptable Verification Evidence Photodocumentation Sound recording for frogs and toads Detailed description of individual Specimen (if legal) Remains (if legal) Verification is required for particular species. Photographs are encouraged for submissions but are not required for all species

How you can help Submit any and all amphibian and reptile sightings! data sheet with sightings documented throughout the year for a single block OPPORTUNISTIC SIGHTINGS: us the date, location, picture, & as much information as possible about the animal –County Coordinator-George Jett-

Results 2010-present Over 500 volunteers 13,000+ records 12,000+ hours 85 of Maryland’s 93 species have been detected –31 reports of non-native species

MARA Highlights Rainbow Snake, Charles Co. George JettBarking Treefrog, Kent Co. Kyle Loucks Timber Rattlesnake, Frederick Co. Photograph by Heather Cunningham Mountain Earthsnake, Garrett Co. Photograph by Bill Hubick Jefferson Salamander, Montgomery Co. Photograph by Rachel Gauza Eastern Tiger Salamander, Kent Co. Photograph by Kyle Loucks

Finding out more……….. MARA website – MARA Handbook NHSM Meetup Site –Upcoming herp outings –

MARA Facebook Page

MARA Project Planning Committee Glenn Therres * Maryland Department of Natural Resources Charles Davis * Natural History Society of Maryland Christopher Swarth * Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Scott A. Smith Maryland Department of Natural Resources David Smith Coastal Resources, Inc. Rachel Gauza Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection David Walbeck Maryland Department of the Environment Wayne Hildebrand North American Amphibian Monitoring Program Lynn Davidson Maryland Department of Natural Resources Linda Weir United States Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Kyle Rambo Patuxent Naval Air Station, Environmental Department Nate Nazdrowicz University of Delaware Jim White Delaware Nature Society Don Forester Towson University Joel Snodgrass Towson University Matt Evans Smithsonian Institution, National Zoological Park * Co-Chair MARA County Coordinators All volunteers who generously donated time to the MARA project Grants provided, in part, by State Wildlife Grant funds provided to the state wildlife agencies by US Congress and administered through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife and Heritage Service. Acknowledgments

Thank you! Photograph by Chris Swarth