Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Delis, P., & Meshaka, W. E. , Challenges to the conservation of the herpetofauna in the usa: Warnings from pennsylvania, virginia, and florida. Unpublished paper presented at XII Congresso Luso Espanhol de Herpetologia.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:22:44 UTC) |
| Resource type: Conference Paper BibTeX citation key: Delis2012 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Gopherus polyphemus, Habitat - habitat, Malaclemys terrapin, Nordamerika - North America, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Terrapene carolina, Testudinidae Creators: Delis, Meshaka Collection: XII Congresso Luso Espanhol de Herpetologia |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Facing the widespread biodiversity crisis, biologists worldwide are exploring the population status and trends in local amphibian and reptile communities. We use experiences from the last 20 years research to identify some key threats to the herpetofauna of the USA. In most of Pennsylvania deciduous forests, the proliferation of roads, the use of machinery in agricultural practices, and extensive logging activity are directly lethal to species and indirectly damaging to the persistence of populations such as those of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) and Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina). Hydrological changes, and recently expanded gas extraction techniques (hydraulic fracturing), are likely to compromise the hydroperiod and the quality of the bodies of water (i.e. vernal pools, streams) used as breeding sites by species such as the Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum), Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), and Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrooki). In Virginia’s barrier Islands, the persistence of populations of amphibians and reptiles are threatened by the projected raise of sea levels caused by global climate change. Flooding and more common extreme weather events (i.e. tropical storms, droughts) might extirpate isolated populations of Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) and eliminate nesting grounds of the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). In Florida, fragmentation of natural habitats by poorly restricted development, coupled with the haphazardly accelerated introduction of exotic species (i.e. Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), Burmese Python (Pithon molurus)), undermines the future of populations of scores of species of amphibians and reptiles, including listed species such as the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) and Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais coupieri). Long-term monitoring and multiple technique approaches provide the data necessary to quantify the extent of human-mediated damage to herpetological communities. We recommend long-term, comprehensive, and habitat-based strategies to save and maintain, for future generations, what is left of the still rich North American herpetofauna.
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