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Kimberly Snyder, MS, is a 2020 graduate of the MS Program in Environmental Studies at Antioch University New England

Thesis Committee:

  • Lisabeth Willey, PhD, Committee Chair
  • Peter Palmiotto, D.F., Committee Member
  • Brett Amy Thelen, M.S., Committee Member

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

Vernal pools are important breeding grounds for forest amphibians and vital habitat for many populations of species. With the goal of better managing Glover’s Ledge (GL) for its amphibian communities, the objectives of this study were to assess the current hydrologic profile of the GL vernal pools over the duration of the breeding season, identify richness and distribution of amphibian species utilizing vernal pools, and provide baseline amphibian data for future monitoring and management at GL. Egg masses of Lithobates sylvaticus (wood frogs) and Ambystoma maculatum (Spotted salamanders) in three pools on the site (SWP, LL, and SW) were monitored weekly over 20 weeks from March through August of 2020. Hydrological data on the trends of pool depth, extent, temperature, and pH were also sampled. All pools contained egg masses for 7 weeks before larvae hatched (except for SW, which dried up prior to larval emergence). The LL pool supported the greatest number of A. maculatum egg masses with a maximum number of 63 egg masses counted. This study is only a single-year snapshot of the GL vernal pool system, so it is too early to draw conclusions about population health or trends from these data alone. However, these baseline data may prove important in beginning to understand the GL amphibian community and reveal areas where we can focus our efforts to improve future studies and management efforts.

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Kimberly Snyder

ORCID Scholar ID# 0000-0002-1886-7820

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