The strategic approach to this work will be to understand, analyze and interpret amphibian and reptile population trends encountered in parks in the broad context of the region. The selection of specific groups will be made for spatial analysis at progressively smaller geographic scope, but with increasing resolution. This will enable use of existing landscape ecological models and theories in spatial characterization particular population habitat needs. Such a process leads to an understanding of metapopulation dynamics and population interactions. Management actions within parks including, but not limited to management ignited prescribed fires, pesticide applications, could have an impact on herptofauna.
Many parks lack accurate checklists prepared through systematic surveys to verify species presence.
Baseline inventories of herptofauna are necessary to provide resource managers accurate information on resources under their direction in order to make accurate assessment of resource impacts. I emailed the agency contacts on 3 November, including as an attachment the summary of Central Region herp research that Ed Little prepared in 1997. I also mentioned the SIS database, pointing out the large number of BRD projects involving amphibians. I also mentioned the amphibian research proposed to begin in FY2000. I received a response from Cinnamon, who mentioned 2 herp-monitoring projects to be done this year at Voyageurs and Badlands National Parks.