Project Description: The goal of this project is to understand amphibian road crossing and morality in Acadia National Park.This project will inform scientists, the public, and park managers about risks to amphibians and potential measures to reduce mortality of amphibians where they currently cross roads.
This project will coordinate a citizen-science volunteer initiative to conduct nighttime road surveys for amphibian activity, with surveys occurring from early spring until late fall of two consecutive years. Combining the survey data with GIS layers, weather data, and traffic data, the project will create a park-wide map of vulnerability and identify opportunities to reduce amphibian morality.
Roadway morality poses a substantial threat to the survival of amphibian populations, particularly in rural landscapes bisected by roadways such as in Acadia National Park. Acadia hosts at least 12 species of salamanders and frogs, which are a critical part of the local ecosystem and part values, and several of these species have faced local declines in recent decades. This project will generate a set of resources which can be used to reduce morality of amphibians on roadways within Acadia.
Lead Principal Investigator: Dr. Noah Charney, University of Maine
Partner Institution: University of Maine
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Federal Agency Technical Contact: Abe Miller-Rushing
Start Year: 2024
End Year: 2027
Initial Funding Amount: $24,793.00
Federal Grant Number: P24AC01109
Products Associated with this Project:
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