Influence of Organismal and Landscape Characteristics on Road Mortality of Amphibians and Reptiles in the Lewis-Clark Valley
Faculty Mentor Information
Charles Peterson
Abstract
Our goal is to identify factors influencing road mortality of amphibians and reptiles in the Lewis-Clark Valley of Idaho and Washington. This study is part of an NSF/EPSCoR MILES project to discern the impact of urban development and climate change on ecological services in mid-sized Idaho cities. We drove a network of roads in the area 2-3 times per week, starting between 20:30 and 21:30. Data collected included weather conditions, species, mass, length, and sex. We will analyze the effects of the animal and landscape characteristics such as topography, land cover, and distance to water on the number and location of animal records. During the first 4 weeks we found 6 species: Western Toad (34 individuals), Sierran Chorus Frog (1), American Bullfrog (11),Western Rattlesnake (43), Gophersnake (52), and Racer (2). We will compare the species detected with historical records from the literature, museum records, and observations. The results should help evaluate the effects of climate change and urban growth on ecosystem services.
Influence of Organismal and Landscape Characteristics on Road Mortality of Amphibians and Reptiles in the Lewis-Clark Valley
Our goal is to identify factors influencing road mortality of amphibians and reptiles in the Lewis-Clark Valley of Idaho and Washington. This study is part of an NSF/EPSCoR MILES project to discern the impact of urban development and climate change on ecological services in mid-sized Idaho cities. We drove a network of roads in the area 2-3 times per week, starting between 20:30 and 21:30. Data collected included weather conditions, species, mass, length, and sex. We will analyze the effects of the animal and landscape characteristics such as topography, land cover, and distance to water on the number and location of animal records. During the first 4 weeks we found 6 species: Western Toad (34 individuals), Sierran Chorus Frog (1), American Bullfrog (11),Western Rattlesnake (43), Gophersnake (52), and Racer (2). We will compare the species detected with historical records from the literature, museum records, and observations. The results should help evaluate the effects of climate change and urban growth on ecosystem services.
Comments
Poster #W56