Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard methods for amphibians

836 Pages·1994·20.37 MB·English

by  W. Ronald Heyer

Biological Diversity Handbook Series Series Editor: Mercedes S.
Foster
This series has been established by the National Biological Survey (U.S.
Department of the Interior) and the National Museum of Natural History
(Smithsonian Institution) for the publication of manuals detailing standard field
methods for qualitative and quantitative sampling of biological diversity.
Volumes will focus on different groups of organisms, both plants and animals.
The goal of the series is to identify or, where necessary, develop these methods
and promote their adoption worldwide, so that biodiversity information will be
comparable across study sites, geographic areas, and organisms, and at the same
site, through time.

© 1994 by the Smithsonian Institution All rights reserved
Editorial consultant and typesetter: Peter Strupp/Princeton Editorial Associates Designer: Janice Wheeler
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Measuring and monitoring biological diversity.
Standard methods for amphibians / edited by W. Ronald Heyer . . . [et al.].
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN 1-56098-270-5 (cloth) 1-56098-284-5 (pbk.) 1. Amphibians—Speciation—Research. 2.
Biological diversity—Measurement. I. Heyer,
W. Ronald.
QL645.4.M43 1993
597.6’045248’0723—dc20 92-44743
eBook ISBN: 978-1-58834-437-3
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-56098-284-5
British Library Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
Cover art by Randy Babb: Ambystoma tigrinum stebbinsi.
For permission to reproduce illustrations appearing in this book, please correspond directly with the owners
of the works, as listed in the individual captions. The Smithsonian Institution Press does not retain
reproduction rights for these illustrations individually or maintain a file of addresses for photo sources.
This book may be purchased for education, business, or sales promotional use. For information please write:
Special Markets Department, Smithsonian Books, P.O Box 37012, MRC 513, Washington, DC 20013.
www.SmithsonianBooks.com
v3.1
Contents
Cover
Biological Diversity Handbook Series
Title Page
Copyright
Figures
Tables
Authors and Contributors
Foreword
David B. Wake
Preface
Antecedents
Authorship
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Introduction
Previous Work
Intended Audience
Chapter 2. Amphibian Diversity and Natural History: An Overview
Roy W. McDiarmid
Introduction
Order Gymnophiona (Caecilians)
Order Caudata (Salamanders)
Order Anura (Frogs)
Amphibian Larvae
Chapter 3. Essentials of Standardization and Quantification
Introduction
Study Questions
Sampling Considerations
Scale
Randomization and Bias
Replication and Assumptions
Reporting Data
Chapter 4. Research Design for Quantitative Amphibian Studies
Lee-Ann C. Hayek
Introduction
Project Design
The Research Question
Formulating the Research Hypothesis
Validity
Field Observation and Statistical Design
Data Accuracy
Measurement Scales and Statistical Analysis
Randomness
Independence
Sample Size
Testing Errors
Statistical versus Substantive Significance
Chapter 5. Keys to a Successful Project: Associated Data and Planning
Introduction
Climate and Environment, Martha L. Crump
Basic Weather Data
Additional Environmental Data
Measuring Weather Variables
Automated Data Acquisition, Charles R. Peterson and Michael E. Dorcas
Data Loggers
Environmental Sensors
Thermal Environment
Recording Frog Calls
Recording Radiotelemetry Signals
Data Standards, Roy W. McDiarmid
Geographic Characterization
Habitat
Sampling Methodology
Microhabitat Description, Robert F. Inger
Characteristics of a Microhabitat Checklist
Basic Descriptors for a Microhabitat Checklist
Field Methods
Voucher Specimens, Robert P. Reynolds, Ronald I. Crombie, and Roy W.
McDiarmid
Field Identifications
Sample Size
Specimen Data
Call Vouchers
Selection of a Specimen Repository
Permits, Roy W. McDiarmid, Robert P. Reynolds, and Ronald I. Crombie
Chapter 6. Standard Techniques for Inventory and Monitoring
Selection of Techniques
Standard Techniques
1. Complete Species Inventories, Norman J. Scott, Jr.
2. Visual Encounter Surveys, Martha L. Crump and Norman J. Scott, Jr.
3. Audio Strip Transects, Barbara L. Zimmerman
4. Quadrat Sampling, Robert G. Jaeger and Robert F. Inger
5. Transect Sampling, Robert G. Jaeger
6. Patch Sampling, Robert G. Jaeger
7. Straight-Line Drift Fences and Pitfall Traps, Paul Stephen Corn
8. Surveys at Breeding Sites, Norman J. Scott, Jr., and Bruce D. Woodward
9. Drift Fences Encircling Breeding Sites, C. Kenneth Dodd, Jr., and David E.
Scott
10. Quantitative Sampling of Amphibian Larvae, H. Bradley Shaffer, Ross A.
Alford, Bruce D. Woodward, Stephen J. Richards, Ronald G. Altig, and
Claude Gascon
Chapter 7. Supplemental Approaches to Studying Amphibian Biodiversity
Introduction
Artificial Habitats
Sampling with Artificial Pools, Claude Gascon
Sampling with Artificial Cover, Gary M. Fellers and Charles A. Drost
Acoustic Monitoring at Fixed Sites, A. Stanley Rand and George E. Drewry
Target Organisms and Habitats
Background
Research Design
Special Considerations
Tracking
Thread Bobbins, W. Ronald Heyer
Radio Tracking, Stephen J. Richards, Ulrich Sinsch, and Ross A. Alford
Tracking with Radioactive Tags, Ray E. Ashton, Jr.
Night Driving, H. Bradley Shaffer and J. Eric Juterbock
Target Organisms and Habitats
Background
Research Design
Field Methods
Personnel and Materials
Data Treatment and Interpretation
Special Considerations
Geographic Information Systems
GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques, Lee-Ann C. Hayek and Roy W.
McDiarmid
Manual GIS Application for Habitat Specialists, J. Eric Juterbock, Samuel S.
Sweet, and Roy W. McDiarmid
Group Activities and Field Trips, Roy W. McDiarmid and Maureen A. Donnelly
Target Organisms and Habitats
Background
Research Design
Personnel and Materials
Data Treatment and Interpretation
Special Considerations
Examples of Group Activities
Chapter 8. Estimating Population Size
Introduction
Mark-Recapture, Maureen A. Donnelly and Craig Guyer
Objectives
Target Organisms and Habitat
Background
Research Design and Field Methods
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Personnel and Materials
Population Estimators
Capture-Resight
Bayesian Approach to Mark-Recapture Data
Removal Sampling, Lee-Ann C. Hayek
Target Organisms and Habitats
Background
Research Design and Field Methods
Data Analysis and Interpretation
Special Considerations
Chapter 9. Analysis of Amphibian Biodiversity Data
Lee-Ann C. Hayek
Introduction
Species Richness
Presence-Absence Data
Measures of Association
Species Abundance
Individual Counts and Proportions
Interrelationships of Standard Tests
Model-Based Methods
Advice about Tests for R × C Tables
Advice about Tests for 2 × 2 Tables
Summary and Recommendations
Species Density and Continuously Distributed Data
Graphical Representation
Descriptive Statistics
Species Diversity
Inventories and Richness
Monitoring, Richness, and Evenness
Summary and Recommendations
Notes