Management of amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals in North America

467 Pages·2008·56.33 MB·English

Management of
Agriculture
Amphibians, Rep tiles,
Forest Service
and Small Mammals in
Rocky Mountain
Forest and Range
Experiment Station North America
Fort Collins,
Colorado 80526
Proceedings of the Symposium
General Technical
Report RM-166
July 19-21, I988
Flagstaff, Arizona
This meeting owes its success to sev- We would like to extend our sin- Gary K. Meefe, Joseph C. Mitchell,
eral organizations and individuals. cere thanks to the following peer re- Paul E. Moler, Henry R. Mushinsky,
First, we thank the sponsoring or- viewers who generously gave their Thomas J. O'Shea, William S. Parker,
ganizations (listed on the title page) time to improve the quality of this Kenneth H. Pollock, Mary V. Price,
whose financial support and encour- proceedings: Gregory H. Adler, Martin C.. Raphael, 0.J . Reichman,
agement helped make the conference Stanley H. Anderson, Michael J. Fred B. Samson, D. J. Schmidly, Nor-
a reality. The local committee on ar- Armbruster, David M. ~rmstron~, man Scott, Steven W. Seagle, Ray-
rangements, J. Kevin Aitkin, Marga- Walter Au ffenberg, Keith B. Aubry, mond D. Semlitsch, Henry L. Short,
ret Bailey, Tom Britt, Roxanne Britt, Gary C. Bateman, Ronald E. Lee H. Simons, Graham W. Smith,
Charles Bullington, Glen Dickens, Beiswenger, Kristin H. Berry, Wil- Hobart M. Smith, Dan Speake, James
and Katherine Holly did a superb job liam M. 'Block, Michael A. Bowers, R. Spotila, Judy A. Stamps, Thomas
of handling room setup, registration, Richard C. Bruce, James H. Brown, P. Sullivan, Daniel W. Uresk, Laurie
providing rides, and running the K. A. Buhlmann, Russell Burke, R. J. Vitt, Peter D. Weigl, Gary C. White,
slide projector. Bruce Bury, Ronald K. Chesser, Ste- Daniel F. Williams, Richard G.
We are especially grateful to the ven P. Christrnan, Tim W.C lark, Zweifel.
session chairman, K. Bruce Jones, James P. Collins, Stephen Corn, Finally, we thank the speakers for
George Dalrymple, Robert Stephen P. Cross, George Dalrymple, following our schedule for submit-
M,Closkey, David Germano, Joan E. Diemer, James G. Dickson, C. ting the various stages of their manu-
Winifred Sidle, Constantine Slobod- Kenneth Dodd, Jr., Raymond D. scripts and providing us with excel-
chikoff, Michael Morrison, Gregory Dueser, Gary M. Fellers ,H enry S. lent manuscripts in computer format
Adler, Martin Raphael, and Ray- Fitch, Jerran Flinders, Vagn F. Flyger, to expedite and enhance the publica-
mond Dueser, for their help and for Kenneth Feluso, Richard Fi tzner, tion of the proceedings. m eo pinions
keeping the meeting on schedule. David J. Gennano, Lowell L. Getz, expressed in these papers are the au-
Our thanks to those who attended William E. Grant, Patrick T. Gregory, thors' and do not necessarily reflect
for their enthusiastic participation. Marc P. Hayes, Clyde Jones, K. Bruce those of the U.S. Department of Agri-
We thank Randall Babb for the line Jones, Donald W. Kaufman, Brian J. culture.
drawings in the proceedings and De- Klatt, Thomas Kunz, J. Larry Lan-
borah Johnson and J. Kevin Aitkin ders, James N. Layne, Harvey B. Lil-
for their help in organizing manu- lywhite, Raymond Linder, William
script files and standardizing word Mannan, S. Clark Martin, Robert T.
processing formats. MfCloskey,D avid A. McCullough,
USDA Forest Service November 1988
General Technical Report RM-166
Management of Amphibians, Reptiles, and
Small Mammals in North America
Proceedings of the Symposium
July 19-21,1988
Flagstaff, Arizona
Robert C. Szaro, Kieth E. Severson, and David R. Patton
@
technical coordinators1
v
Sponsored by:
+ Arizona Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Arizona Game and Fish Department
Northern Arizona University, School of Forestry
USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station
USDA Forest Service, National Wildlife and Fish Ecology Program
USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region , *
'Szaro and Severson are with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range
Experiment Station, at the Stationk Research Work Unit in Tempe, in cooperation with Arizona
State University. Paffon is with the School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff.
The Management of Amphibians, Reptiles and Small Mammals
in North America: Historical Perspective and Objectives
RobertC.Szaro .................................................................................. 1
The Management of Amphibians, Reptiles and Small Mammals
in North America: The Need for an Environmental Attitude
J. WhitfieldGibbons ..............................................................................4 '
Douglas-Fir Forests in the Oregon and Washington Cascades:
Relation of the Herpetofauna to Stand Age and Moisture
. R. Bruce Bury and Paul Stephen Corn .................... .. .................. 1 1
r Long-Term Trends in Abundance of Amphibians, Reptiles, and
Mammals in Douglas-Fir Forests of Northwestern California
Martin G. Raphael .,,.,,...,.,.....,, .. ................................................... 23
Use of Woody Debris by Plethodontid Salamanders in Douglas-
Fir in Washington
Keith 8. Aubry, Lawrence L. C. Jones, and Patricia A. Hall ............ 32 6
a Forestry Operations and Terrestrial Salamanders: Techniques in
a Study of the Cow Knob Salamander, Plethodon
punctatus
Kurf A. Buhlmann, Christopher A. Pague, Joseph C. Mitchell,
and RobertB. Glasgow .................... .. ................................3 8 *
Conserving Genetically Distinctive Populations: The Case of the
Huachuca Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinurn
stebbinsi Lowe)
James P. Colljns, Thomas R. Jones, and Howard J. Berna ............. -45
Habitat Requirements of New Mexico's Endangered
Salamanders
Cynthia A. Ramotnik and Norman J. Scoft, Jr. .. ............................. 54
Utilization of Abandoned Mine Drifts and Fracture Caves By Bats
and Salamanders: Unique Subterranean Habitat in the
Ouachita Mountains
David A. Saugey, Gary A. Heidt, and Darrell R. Heath ................... .64
The Herpetofauna of Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park,
in Relation to Vegetation and Hydrology
George H. Dalrymple ..................................................................... 72
The Herpetofaunal Community of Temporary Ponds in North
0
Florida Sandhills: Species Composition, Temporal Use, and
Management Implications
C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr. and Bert G. Charest ...................................... 87
(Continued)
Management of Amphibians, Reptiles, and Small Mammals in . I
Xeric Pinelands of Peninsular Florida \
I. Jack Stout, Donald R. Richardson, and Richard E. Roberts... ...... .98 e
Distribution and Habitat Associations of Herpetofauna in
Arizona: Comparisons by Habitat Type
K. Bruce Jones ................................................................................ 109
Multivariate Analysis of the Summer Habitat Structure of Rana
pipiens Schreber, in Lac Saint Pierre (Qu6bec, Canada)
r 8
N. Beauregard and R. Leclair Jr. ..................... .. ......................... 129
Habitat Correlates of Distribution of the California Red-Legged
Frog (Rana aurora draytonii) and the Foothill Yellow-
-
Legged Frog (Rana boylii): Implications for Management e
Marc P. Hayes and Mark I?. Jennings ..............................................1 44
Integrating Anuran Amphibian Species into Environmental
Assessment Programs
Ronald E. Beiswenger ........................ .. ......................................1 59
0
Preliminary Report on Effect of Bullfrogs on Wetland
Herpetofaunas in Southeastern Arizona
Cecil R. Sch walbe and Philip C. Rosen .......................................... 16 6
.
Developing Management Guidelines for Snapping Turtles *
Ronald J, Brooks, David A, Galbraith, E. Graham Nancekivell,
and Christine A. Bishop ..................................................... 174
* <
Spatial Distribution of Desert Tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) at
Twentynine Palms, California: Implications for Relocations
Ronald J. Baxter ................................................................................1 80
Changes in a Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) Population
After a Period of High Mortality
David J. Germano and Michele A. Joyner .................................... 190
A Survey Method for Measuring Gopher Tortoise Density and
Habitat Distribution
Daniel M. Spillers and Dan W. Speake ............................................ 199
Evaluation and Review of Field Techniques Used to Study and
Manage Gopher Tortoises
Russell 1. Burke and James Cox ...................................................... 205
Talus Use by Amphibians and Reptiles in the Pacific Northwest
Roberf E. Herrington ........................................................................2 16
(Continued)
'
Comparison of Herpetofaunas of a Natural and Altered Riparian
Ecosystem
0 K. Bruce Jones ........................ ................. . .........................2 22
Critical Habitat, Predator Pressures, and the Management of e
Epicrates monoensis (Serpentes: Boidae) on the Puerto
Rico Bank: A Multivariate Analysis
Peter J. Tolson .................................................................................... 228
The Use of Timed Fixed-Area Plots and a Mark-Recapture
Technique in Assessing Riparian Garter Snake Populations
Robert C. Szaro, Scott C. Belfit, J. Kevin Aitkin, and
Randall 0. Babb .................... . ............................................
* Design Considerations for the Study of Amphibians, Reptiles and
6
Small Mammals in California's Oak Woodlands: Temporal
and Spatial Patterns
William M. Block, Michael L. Morrison, John C. Slaymaker,
and Gwen Jongejan ................................................................2 47
* The lmportance of Biological Surveys in Managing Public Lands
in the Western United States
Michael A. Bogan, Robert B. Finley, Jr., and
Stephen J. Petersburg .................... . ................................. 254
* Sampling Problems in Estimating Small Mammal Population Size
George E. Menkens, Jr. and Stanley H. Anderson ....................... 262
The Design and Importance of Long-Term Ecological Studies:
Analysis of Vertebrates in the Inyo-White Mountains,
California
Michael L. Morrison ................................................................. 267
An Ecological Problem-Solving Process for Managing Special-
Interest Species
Henry L. Short and Samuel C. Williamson... ..................................... 276
Comparative Effectiveness of Pitfalls and Live-Traps in
Measuring Small Mammal Community Structure
Robert C. Szaro, Lee H. Simons, and Scott C. Belfit ........................ 282
The Role of Habitat Structure in Organizing Small Mammal
Populations and Communities
Gregory H. Adler .............................................................................2 89
Microhabitat as a Template for the Organization of a Desert
Rodent Community
Michael A. Bowers and Christine A. Flanagan ..............................3 00
(Continued)
Response of Small Mammal Communities to Silvicultural
4
Treatments in Eastern Hardwood Forests of West Virginia
and Massachusetts
Robert 1. Brooks and William M. Healy ............................................ 3 13
' Habitat Structure and the Distribution of Small Mammals in a
Northern Hardwoods Forest
Jeffery A. Gore ................ .. ...... . ................................................ 3 19
The Value of Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum)
Woodlands in South Dakota as Small Mammal Habitat
Carolyn Hull Sieg .............................................................................3 28
Postfire Rodent Succession Following Prescribed Fire in Southern
3
California Chaparral
William 0. Wirfr, 11, David Hoekman, John R. Muhm, and
Sherrie L. Souza ....................... . ................................. 333
Douglas-Fir Forests in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and
Washington: Is the Abundance of Small Mammals Related
to Stand Age and Moisture?
Paul Stephen Corn, R. Bruce Bury, and Thomas A. Spies .............. 340
Evaluation of Small Mammals as Ecological Indicators of Old-
Growth Conditions
Kirk A. Nordyke and Steven W. Buskirk ............................................3 53
Habitat Associations of Small Mammals in a Subalpine Forest,
Southeastern Wyoming
Martin G. Raphael ............................................................................3 59
Differences in the Ability of Vegetation Models to Predict Small @
Mammal Abundance in Different Aged Douglas-Fir Forests
Cathy A. Taylor, C. John Ralph, and Arlene T. Doyle .................... 368
Small Mammals in Streamside Management Zones in Pine
Plantations
James G. Dickson and J. Howard Williamson ................................ 375
Patterns of Relative Diversity Within Riparian Small Mammal
Communities, Platte River Watershed, Colorado
Thomas E. Olson and Fritz 1. Knopf .................................................3. 79
Estimated Carrying Capacity for Cattle Competing with Prairie
Dogs and Forage Utilization in Western South Dakota
Daniel W. Uresk and Deborah D. Paulson ......................................3 87
(Continued)
Cattle Grazing and Small Mammals on the Sheldon National
Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
John L. Oldeme yer and Lydia R. Allen-Johnson ............................3 9 1
Effect of Seed Size on Removal by Rodents
William G. Standley ..........................................................................3 99 '
Habitcd Use by Gunaison's Prairie Dogs
C. N. Slobodchikoff, Anthony Robinson, and Clark Schaack ...... 403
Environmental Contaminants and the Management of Bat
Populations in the United States
Donald R. Clark, Jr. .......................................................................4..0. 9
E
Habitat Structure, Forest Composition and Landscape
Dimensions as Components of Habitat Suitability for the
Delmarva Fox Squirrel
Raymond D. Dueser, James L. Daoley, Jr., and Gary J. Taylor .... 41 4
Effects of Treating Creosotebush with Tebuthiuron on Rodents
William G. Standley and Norman S. Smith ....................................., 422
Foraging Patterns of Tassel-Eared Squirrels in Selected
Ponderosa Pine Stands
Jack S. States, William S. Gaud, W. Sylvester Allred, and
William J. A ustin ...................................................................4..2 5
Small Mammal Response to the Introduction of Cattle into a
Cottonwood Floodplain
Fred B. Samson, Friiz L. Knopf, and Lisa B. Hass ................... ........... 432
Old Growth Forests and the Distribution of the Terrestrial
4
Herpetofauna
Hartwell H. Welsh, Jr. and Amy L. Lind ............................ .... ..........., 439
The Management of
Amphibians, Reptiles and
Small Mammals in North
America: Historical
Perspective and Objectives1
Robert C. Szaro2
Historically the management of pub- categories of management indicator joint meeting of the Herpetologists'
lic lands from a mu1 tiple use perspec- species: (1)e ndangered and threat- League and the Society for the Study
tive has led to a system that empha- ened plants and animals; (2) species of Amphibians and Reptiles, was the
sizes those habitat components or with special habitat needs; (3) species first attempt to organize a vehicle for
faunal elements that primarily re- commonly hunted, fished, or the incorporation of papers dealing
sulted in some sort of definable eco- trapped; (4) nongame species of spe- with herpetological communities
nomic value. While this often benefit- cial interest; and (5) plant and animal (Scott 1982). Yet, as Gibbons (this
ted other species that were not even species selected because their popu- volume) clearly shows, little progress
considered in the original prescrip- lation changes are believed to indi- has been made in the recognition of
tions, it also negatively impacted oth- cate the effects of management activi- amphibians, reptiles, and small
ers. We no longer can afford to take ties on other species of selected ma- mammals as being important focal
this simplistic view of ecosystem jor biological communities or on wa- points for research and management
management. We need to use a more ter quality. efforts. It is encouraging that recent
holistic approach where ecological Nongame birds have been the first comprehensive symposia have incor-
landscapes are considered as units, group to benefit from changing man- porated papers dealing with these
and land management practices in- agement practices and public con- groups. There was an entire session
corporate all elements into an inte- cern. The management of nongame on Amphibians and Reptiles in the
grated policy. This includes examin- birds within the National Forest Sys- symposium "Riparian Ecosystems
ing the impacts of proposed land tem received a big boost from the and Their Management" (Johnson et
uses on amphibian, reptile, and small "Symposium on Management of For- al. 19851, and almost 30% of the
mammal populations. est and Range Habitats for Nongame Southern Evaluation Project Work-
With the passage of the National Birds" held in Tucson in May 1975 shop reports work on amphibians,
Forest Management Act of 1976, the (Smith 1975). Since that initial sym- reptiles, and small mammals (Pear-
monitoring of all renewable natural posium, four regional workshops son et al. 1987).
resources became law. Even with this were held emphasizing the manage- The intent of this symposium was
legislation, most emphasis by Na- ment of nongame birds in forest and to bring scientists and managers to-
tional Forests in the United States has range habitats (Degraaf 1978a, 1978b; gether to exchange knowledge and
been placed on big game, other game Degraaf and Evans 1979; Degraaf ideas on habitat requirements, man-
species, or threatened and endan- and Tilghman 1980). There have also agement needs, and other informa-
gered species. Yet, the act lists five been Forest Service sponsored sym- tion on these often overlooked com-
Paper presented at symposium, Man- posia targeting specific bird groups ponents of North American fauna.
agement of Amphibians, Reptiles, and such as owls (Nero et al. 1987) and Another purpose was to summarize
Small Mammals in North America. (Flag- birds using specific habitat features the state-of-the-science of habitats
staff AZ. July 7 9-2 1, 1988).
such as snags (Davis et al. 1983). and habitat requirements of species
*Robert C. Szaro is Research Wildlife Bi-
Only recently has the management within these groups. Of particular
oloaist, USDA Forest Service, Rockv Moun-
tain- ores st and Range ~x~erimesntat tion, of other nongame species gained in- interest were papers emphasizing
at the Station's Research Work Unit in creased recoenition. The landmark habitat models, habitat requirements,
Tempe, in ~00pefationw ith Arizona Stat8 symposium Io2 nef lHerpetological sampling techniques and problems,
University. Station Headquarters is in Fort
Collins, in cooperation with Colorado State Communities" in Lawrence, community dynamics, and manage-
University. Kansas, August 1977, as part of the men t recomrnenda tions.
The overwhelming response to reptiles, and small mammal popula- NC-51. North Central Forest Ex-
our announcement for papers was tions may prove to be the ultimate periment Station, St. Paul, Minn.
unexpected. More than 60 abstracts indicators of habitat quality and 268 p.
were originally submitted for presen- health, because of their sedentary Degraaf, Richard M. and Nancy G.
tation. In order to overcome recent characteristics which make them Tilghman (Proceedings Compil-
criticism concerning so-called "gray" much more susceptible to manage- ers). 1980. Workshop proceedings:
literature (Bart and Anderson 1981, ment activities than do highly mobile Management of western forests
Capen 1982, Finch et al. 1982, Scott bird species and ubiquitous species and grasslands for nongame birds.
and Ralph 1988), we made every ef- such as deer and turkey. USDA Forest Service General
fort to improve the quality of the Technical Report INT-86. Inter-
symposium and its subsequent pro- mountain Forest and Range Ex-
ceedings. All authors were required Literature Cited periment Station, Ogden, Utah.
to submit their first drafts 5 months 535 p.
prior to the meeting in order to en- Bart, J. and D. R. Anderson. 1981. Finch, Deborah M., A. Lauren Ward,
sure adequate time for peer review The case against publishing sym- and Robert H. Hamre. 1982. Com-
and editing. Each manuscript was posia proceedings. Wildlife Soci- ments in defense of symposium
reviewed by two experts familiar ety Bulletin 9:201-202. proceedings: response to Bart and
with the topic, and edited for style Capen, David E. 1982. Publishing Anderson. Wildlife Society Bulle-
and content by one of the sympo- symposia proceedings: another tin 10:181-183.
sium editors. viewpoint. Wildlife Society Bulle- Johnson, R. Roy, Charles D. Ziebel,
We found the meeting itself to be a tin 10:183-184. David R. Patton, Peter F. Ffolliott,
fertile exchange of ideas and tech- Davis, Jerry W., Gregory A. Good- and Robert H. Hamre (Technical
niques between managers and re- win, and Richard A. Ockenfeis Coordinators). 1985. Riparian eco-
searchers from all over the country. (Technical Coordinators). 1983. systems and their management:
Those attending found the meeting Snag habitat management: Pro- reconciling conflicting uses. First
extremely enlightening both for re- ceedings of the symposium. North American Riparian Confer-
searchers and managers because of USDA Forest Service General ence. USDA Forest Service Gen-
their exposure to new viewpoints. It Technical Report RM-99. Rocky eral Technical Report RM-120.
is a testament to those attending and Mountain Forest and Range Ex- Rocky Mountain Forest and Range
the quality of the presentations that periment Station, Ft. Collins, Colo. Experiment Station, Ft. Collins,
very little discussion occurred out- 226 p. Colo. 523 p.
side the meeting hall when papers Degraaf, Richard M. (Technical Coor- Nero, Robert W., Richard J. Clark,
were in progress. Virtually all partici- dina tor). 19 78a. Proceedings of the Richard J. Knapton, and R. H.
pants were present throughout the workshop on nongame bird habi- Hamre (Editors). 1987. Biology
symposium, from the first session to tat management in the coniferous and conservation of northern for-
the last. forests of the western United est owls. USDA Forest Service
We hope this symposium will States. USDA Forest Service Gen- General Technical Report RM-142.
prove to be the boost that these fau- eral Technical Report PNW-64. Rocky Mountain Forest and Range
nal groups need to get increased re- Pacific Northwest Forest and Experiment Station, Ft. Collins,
search and management recognition. Range Experiment Station, Port- Colo. 309 p.
For only with an adequate data base land, Oregon. 100 p. Pearson, Henry A., Fred E. Smeins,
can models be developed that predict Degraaf, Richard M. (Technical Coor- and Ronald E. Thill (Proceedings
diversity in relation to natural or dinator). 1978b. Proceedings of the Compilers). 1987. Ecological,
man-made disturbance of ecosys- workshop: Management of south- physical, and socioeconomic rela-
tems. These holistic models are of the ern forests for nongame birds. tionships within southern national
utmost importance for the mainte- USDA Forest Service General forestsf Proceedings of the south-
nance of worldwide biodiversity Technical Report SE-14. Southeast- ern evaluation workshop. USDA
(Wilson and Peters 1988). Ecosystem ern Forest Experiment Station, Forest Service General Technical
diversity is a key correlate with bio- Asheville, North Carolina. 176 p. Report SO-68. Southern Forest Ex-
logical productivity and has recently Degraaf, Richard M. and Keith E. periment Station, New Orleans,
attracted considerable interest both Evans (Proceedings Compilers). Louisiana. 293 p.
from theoreticians and from profes- 1979. Management of north central Scott, J. Michael and C. John Ralph.
sionals concerned with management and northeastern forests for 1988. Quality control of symposia
of land and water systems (Suffling nongame birds. USDA Forest and their published proceedings.
et al. 1988).W e feel that amphibians, Service General Technical Report Wildlife Society Bulletin 16:68-74.