habitat management guidelines for amphibians and reptiles of the northwestern united states and ...

149 Pages·2015·6.89 MB·English

HABITAT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE
NORTHWESTERN UNITED STATES AND
WESTERN CANADA
Technical Publication HMG-4
PARTNERS IN AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CONSERVATION
This publication was made possible by the support of the following agencies and organizations.
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The authors are pleased to acknowledge the generous support of the USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources
ConservationService,andUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyfordevelopment,editing,layout,andinitialprintingofthis
guide. We also thank the State Wildlife Agencies, and all other contributors for their generous support to PARC and their
commitment to amphibian and reptile conservation.
Front cover photo by David Herasimtschuk
Back cover photos by Alan St. John
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HABITAT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE
NORTHWESTERN UNITED STATES AND
WESTERN CANADA
TECHNICAL PUBLICATION HMG-4
PURPOSE AND INTENDED USE OF THIS
ingalocalherpetologistbeforemakingsignificantland-
DOCUMENT
usechangeswhenimplementingthesuggestedguide-
lines.TheGuidelines,whicharedevelopedbyPartners
The goal of this book is to provide amphibian and rep- inAmphibianandReptileConservation(PARC),arenot
tile habitat management guidelines that are easily legallybindingorregulatory,andtheydonotinanyway
understood and practical for resource managers and attempttolimitlandownerrights.Theycanberegarded
privatelandownerstointegratewithothermanagement simply as recommendations from the PARC communi-
objectivesonthelandscape. ty to landowners and managers who are considering
the needs of amphibians and reptiles in the course of
Manyamphibianandreptilepopulationsarevulnerable their land and resource management activities.
totheeffectsofhabitatlossanddegradationintheUnit- References to specific sources of information used in
ed States and Canada. A significant challenge is to each of the regional Guidelines can be found at
ensure the persistence of amphibians and reptiles www.parcplace.org.
through thoughtful management of private and public
landsandtheresourcestheycontain.Whenappliedon
the ground as general management principles, the
guidelines provided in this document will promote con-
servationofamphibiansandreptilesby ISBN 0-9667402-5-4 ©2008 Partners in Amphibian
and Reptile Conservation. Printed in the United
• Keepingcommonspeciescommon
StatesofAmerica.
• Stemmingthedeclineofimperiledspecies
• Maintainingexistinghabitats
Suggestedcitation:
• Guidingrestorationofdegradedhabitats
Pilliod, D.S. and E. Wind. (editors). 2008. Habitat
Landowners and resource managers will benefit from
Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Rep-
theseguidelinesbecausetheirimplementationwillpro-
tilesoftheNorthwesternUnitedStatesandWestern
vide ecological benefits beyond amphibian and reptile
Canada.PartnersinAmphibianandReptileConser-
conservation.Evenifonlysomeoftheseguidelinesare
vation, Technical Publication HMG-4, Birmingham,
implemented,thecumulativeeffectwillbepositive.
AL.139pp.
The general information and specific management
guidelines presented here (hereafter Guidelines) are
AdditionalcopiesmaybeobtainedthroughPARC.Visit
based on the best available science, peer-reviewed
www.parcplace.orgformoreinformationaboutplacing
expert opinion, and published literature. The “Maximiz-
orders. Donations to PARC help defray the costs of
ing Compatibility” and “Ideal” management guidelines
development, printing, postage, and handling, and can
arerecommendationsmadeandreviewedbygroupsof
bemadebycheck,creditcard,ormoneyorder.
professionally trained herpetologists and wildlife biolo-
gists from private, state/provincial, and federal organi-
zations.Becauseofthetaxonomicandecologicaldiver-
sityofamphibiansandreptiles,somerecommendations
may not apply to every species in every situation. The
authors and editors of the Guidelines suggest consult-
HABITAT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE NORTHWESTERN U.S. i
AND WESTERN CANADA
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AUTHORS
The Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Northwestern United States and West-
ern Canada is the result of generous contributions from the following persons:
Senior Authors and Editors: René Martin, MSc, MLIS
Biologist, Information Specialist
David S. Pilliod, PhD RA Martin Consulting, Calgary, Alberta
Research Ecologist
U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Rich S. Nauman, MSc
Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, Idaho Conservation Scientist
National Center for Conservation Science and Policy,
Elke Wind, MSc Ashland, Oregon
Biologist
E. Wind Consulting, Nanaimo, British Columbia Deanna H. Olson, PhD
Research Ecologist
Contributing Authors: U.S.Department of Agriculture Forest Service,
Pacific Northwest Research Station,
Don T. Ashton, MA Corvallis, Oregon
Ecologist
U.S.Department of Agrigulture Forest Service, Charles R. Peterson, PhD
Pacific Southwest Research Station, Professor and Curator of Herpetology
Arcata, California Department of Biological Sciences and Idaho
Museum of Natural History
Christine A. Bishop, PhD Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho
Research Scientist
Environment Canada, Science and Technology Mike Sarell, BS, RPBio
Branch, Delta, British Columbia Consulting Biologist
Ophiuchus Consulting, Oliver, British Columbia
R. Bruce Bury, PhD
Research Zoologist Brian G. Slough, MSc
U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Consulting Biologist
Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Charlotte C. Corkran, BA David F. Tessler, MSc
Wildlife Consultant Regional Wildlife Biologist
Northwest Ecological Research Institute, Alaska Department of Fish and Game,
Portland, Oregon Anchorage, Alaska
John Cossel Jr., DA
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Biology,
Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho
D. Jason Emery
Contract Biologist
Solitudo Environmental Services,
Vancouver, British Columbia
Christopher L. Jenkins, PhD d
n
Executive Director, Snake Ecologist Wi
e
Project Orianne Ltd., Indigo Snake Initiative, Elk
Pocatello, Idaho
NewlymetamorphosedRough-skinnedNewt.
ii WWW.PARCPLACE.ORG
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Intended Use of this Document............i Reservoirs ........................................................87
Preface.....................................................................iv Rivers and Large Streams................................91
Introduction................................................................1 Small Streams..................................................93
How to Use These Guidelines............................2 Springs and Seeps ..........................................96
Developing a Management Plan........................3 Semi-permanent and Seasonal Wetlands........99
Amphibians and Reptiles of the Northwest........3 Permanent Wetlands, Ponds, and Lakes.......104
Natural History of Amphibians and Reptiles.......5 Conventional Production Agricultural Lands...107
Ecoregional Context of the Northwest..............11 Urban and Suburban Areas............................110
Habitats Important to Amphibians Appendix A. Developing a Comprehensive
and Reptiles......................................................11 Management Plan ................................................115
Management Guidelines for Conservation
Issues......................................................................18
Habitat Conversion...........................................18
Dirt Roads and Trails........................................20
Major Roads and Highways..............................21
Surface and Groundwater Use.........................24
Agricultural Herbicides, Pesticides
and Nutrients....................................................25
Livestock Grazing.............................................26
Timber Harvesting............................................28
Mining and Oil and Gas Exploration and od
Development.....................................................31 Pilli
d
Fire Management..............................................32 avi
D
Exploitation.......................................................33
LostTrailNationalWildlifeRefuge,MTislocatedinPleasantValleyin
Non-native and Invasive Species.....................34 thewest-centralportionofFlatheadCounty.Itishometosixamphib-
ianandsevenreptilespecies.Althoughrefugessuchasthisplayan
Subsidized Predators........................................36 importantroleinsafe-guardinghabitatforlocalpopulationsof
amphibiansandreptiles,thecontributionsofmanagementactions
Disease.............................................................38 takenonalllandswillcontributetolandscape-levelprotection.
Climate Change................................................39
Summary of Select Management Guidelines
Appendix B. Amphibian and Reptile Species
for All Habitat Types................................................40
of the Northwest....................................................117
Management Guidelines for
Appendix C. Useful References and
Specific Habitat Types............................................46
Helpful Websites...................................................120
Moist Coniferous Forest....................................47
Appendix D. Conservation Programs
Dry Coniferous Forest.......................................50
and Options...........................................................124
Mixed Coniferous and Deciduous Forest.........53
Appendix E. State and Provincial Amphibian
Moist and Dry Deciduous Forest......................56 and Reptile Biologist Contacts..............................128
Alpine and Subalpine .......................................59 Appendix F. Non-native and Invasive Species
Northern Boreal Forest ....................................62 of Concern to Amphibians and Reptiles and
their Habitats in the Northwest..............................131
Juniper and Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands...........65
Appendix G. Disinfection Guidelines for
Sagebrush Steppe/Desert Shrublands.............68
Individuals Working in Freshwater Habitats..........133
Grasslands........................................................71
Appendix H. More Information about
Arctic and Coastal Tundra................................75
Riparian Buffers.....................................................135
Rock Outcrops, Talus, Cliffs, and Caves..........77
Acknowledgements and Credits............................138
Beaches and Dunes.........................................80
Riparian Areas..................................................82
HABITAT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE NORTHWESTERN U.S. iii
AND WESTERN CANADA
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PREFACE
ThisbookisaproductionofPartnersinAmphibian workwitheveryonetofindsolutionstocommon
andReptileConservation(PARC).PARC'smissionis issues.PARCisnotafundingorgovernmentagency.
"toconserveamphibians,reptiles,andtheirhabitatsas Itdoesnotcreateordictatepolicy,anditisnon-regu-
integralpartsofourecosystemandculturethrough latory.Rather,PARCprovidesrecommendationsand
proactiveandcoordinatedpublic/privatepartnerships." guidelinesbasedonsoundscience,consensus
Theemphasisisonpartnerships,asPARCseeksto amongscientists,andcommonsense.APARCobjec-
EachHabitatManagementGuidecoversseveralecoregionalprovinces(seepage14).StripedareasrepresentoverlapbetweenadjacentGuidelines.
iv WWW.PARCPLACE.ORG
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PREFACE
tiveistoincreasecommunicationandcooperation in Chicago that was held in 2001. At this meeting, 85
amongmanydiversegroupsthathaveacommon individuals representing the five regions worked for 3
interestinamphibians,reptiles,andtheirhabitats. days on drafts of the documents for each region. Sub-
PARCisthefoundationforthemostcomprehensive sequently,thefirsteditionoftheMidwestHabitatMan-
conservationefforteverundertakenforthesetwo agement Guidelines was published in 2002 by Bruce
groupsofwildlife.Throughdocumentssuchasthis, Kingsbury and Joanna Gibson. The Southeast and
PARCwillprovideindividuals,agencies,companies, NortheastGuidelineswerepublishedin2006.
andorganizationsideasforhowtoconserveandman-
ageamphibianandreptilehabitats.Atthecoreof Thispublicationistheproductofextensiveeffortsmade
PARCisthephilosophythatwemustallworktogeth- by many people and contains the contributions of indi-
er;thereisno"usversusthem,”itisall“us.”Ifyou vidualsfromacademic,private,government,andindus-
wanttofindoutmoreaboutPARC,pleasevisitthe try backgrounds. Lead technical coordinators and edi-
PARCwebsiteatwww.parcplace.org. tors for this book were David Pilliod, a research
ecologist at the U.S. Geological Survey Forest and
This book is part of a five-volume series covering the RangelandEcosystemScienceCenterandElkeWind,
contiguous United States and parts of Canada. Each a contract biologist in Nanaimo, British Columbia (E.
volumecoversaregional,geographicareaandislarge- WindConsulting).Someoftheintroductorysectionsof
ly based on ecoregions. The Northwest volume was thisdocumentwereextractedordevelopedfromprevi-
written with the intent of eventually making it available ousGuidelineswiththeexpresspermissionofthelead
to the public as modules via the PARC website. As authors.
such, some redundancy among sections was required
to ensure that key points were captured for those that TheAcknowledgmentssectionatthebackofthisbook
maynotreadthedocumentinitsentirety. liststhosewhohavehelpedwithtext,photos,andpro-
duction.Contributorsretaincopyrightownershipoftheir
Development of the PARC Habitat Management photographs.Copyinganddistributionofthisdocument
Guidelinesseriesbeganshortlyfollowingtheorganiza- isencouragedwithappropriatecreditgiventotheorig-
tionofPARCinAtlanta,Georgia,June1999.Theinitial inalsourcesofinformation.
PARC Habitat Management Steering Committee con-
sisted of Kurt Buhlmann, Erin Clark, Robert Fisher,
WhitGibbons,RandyGray,JohnJensen,BruceKings-
bury, Joe Mitchell, Earl Possardt, Klaus Richter, and
Monica Schwalbach. This group conceptualized the
need for habitat management guidelines as a PARC
product and agreed that at least five regional docu-
mentswouldbeneededfortheUnitedStates,including nn
a
Midwest,Southeast,Northeast,Southwest,andNorth- m
hl
west. Kurt Buhlmann, Whit Gibbons, and Joe Mitchell Bu
drafted a model document. The Steering Committee, urt
K
chairedbyMonicaSchwalbach,organizedaworkshop
Theauthors/editors,fromlefttoright:ElkeWindandDavidPilliod.
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Tod Bill
ThebreedingcalloftheGreatPlainsToadisaloud,jackhammer-like ThreespeciesofGiantSalamanderbreedinstreamsandsmallrivers
trill.Thiscall,usedtoattractfemales,canbeusedbylandownersand intheNorthwest.TheCoastalGiantSalamander,thelargestofthe
resourcemanagerstoidentifyoccupiedareasindesertshrublands threespecies,canreachupto13inches(330mm)totallength.Healthy
andgrasslandsareas. ecosystemsdependonspeciessuchasthesethatplayanimportant
roleasbothpredatorsandpreyinaquaticandterrestrialhabitats.
HABITAT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE NORTHWESTERNERN U.S. v
AND WESTERN CANADA
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PREFACE
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Manyamphibians,likethePacificTreefrog(upperimage),havefeetadaptedforclimbinginvegetation.Some,liketheWanderingSalamander(lower
image),havebeenfoundintreecanopies.
vi WWW.PARCPLACE.ORG
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INTRODUCTION
The goal of this book is to use the best science avail- typesinwaysthathavegeneralbenefitsfortheassoci-
abletoproduceamphibianandreptilehabitatmanage- atedamphibiansandreptiles.
mentandconservationguidelinesthatareeasilyunder-
stood and practical for resource managers and private Recently, scientists and resource managers have
landownerstointegratewithothermanagementobjec- placed a greater emphasis on the conservation and
tives on the landscape. The guidelines included in this management of ecosystems and broad landscapes to
documenthavebeenderivedfromanextensivebodyof benefit multiple species. Ecosystem management
publishedinformationonamphibiansandreptilesofthe offers a more holistic perspective by focusing on inte-
northwesternUnitedStatesandwesternCanada(here- grated natural systems at some landscape scale (for
after Northwest), as well as extensive experience of example, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem). Effec-
biologists and scientists. We have not described the tivemanagementofamphibiansandreptilesspansthe
needsofeveryspeciesofamphibianandreptileinthis spectrum from single-species to ecosystem-based
document. Instead, we provide guidelines for land-use managementpractices.
practicesandactivitiesinterrestrialandaquatichabitat
n
a
kr
Cor kes
e w
ott Ha
Charl Virgil
People,especiallychildren,arefascinatedbyamphibiansandreptiles.Thedevelopmentandpromotionofeducationalprogramsthatfocusonthese
fascinatingcreatureswillgainsupportforhabitatmanagementtakennowandinthefuture.
HABITAT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE NORTHWESTERN U.S. 1
AND WESTERN CANADA
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INTRODUCTION
HOW TO USE THESE GUIDELINES
“Ideal” guidelines are for landowners and land or
resource managers who want to make amphibian
Landowners and resource managers have multiple
and reptile conservation a primary objective, such
goalsandobjectivesformanagingtheirlands.Partners
as on nature preserves, wildlife refuges, and pri-
in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) also
vateoragencylandswhereoptimizingthediversi-
recognizes that, depending on land management
ty and abundance of herpetofauna is desired.
objectives, not all of the recommendations in these
Guidelineswillbefeasible.Nevertheless,knowledgeof
these management considerations will foster an
Usingtheinformationinthishandbook,youwillbeable
appreciation and understanding of amphibians and
todothefollowing:
reptilesandtheirneeds.Ifamajorityoflandownersand
resource managers implement some of these
1. Identifythehabitatonwhichtofocus.
recommendations, then the net benefit to amphibians
and reptiles across the greater Northwest will be
2. Gain an understanding of which species are likely
significant and positive. The majority of the guidelines,
tooccurandliveinthathabitat.
although common sense, have not been "tested" with
long-term experimental studies and are best
3. Establishmanagementgoalsforthathabitat:
incorporated in an adaptive management process with
welldesignedmonitoring.
• Review the recommended guidelines for that
habitat and select those that are possible to
implementgivenlanduseandotherissues.
• If possible, work with local and regional
expertstoimplementtheguidelines.
Once you have implemented the guidelines that are
feasible for yourland,you maywish to conductfollow-
on up evaluations to determine if the guidelines are work-
s
er ing. Depending on your resources, these could range
et
P from the most general field observations (for example,
s
e
arl “I’m seeing more Columbia Spotted Frogs than I used
h
C to”) to implementing scientifically-based monitoring
Aswildlandsaredeveloped,thepersistenceofamphibiansandrep- projects. An adaptive management approach may be
tilesintheseareasmaydependonnaturalizedlandscapingofyards necessaryasyoulearnmoreabouttheamphibianand
andprotectionofgreenspaceswithinruralandurbanareas.
reptilespeciesonyourland, theirhabitat-usepatterns,
andtheirresponsetomanagementgoals.
The Guidelines are organized into two sections. The
first section describes the major conservation chal-
lenges facing amphibians and reptiles and provides
brief suggestions for “what landowners and resource Adaptivemanagementisaflexibleapproach
managers can do” on their lands to reduce or mitigate to management that uses feedback on
thesethreats.Thesecondsectioncoversgeneralhabi- successesandfailures
tatswhereamphibiansandreptilescanbefoundinthe of current manage-
Northwest and provides guidelines for maintaining or mentpractices,and Implement
improvinghabitatsfortheseanimals.Eachofthehabi- Plan
newinformationthat
tat sections contains two sets of guidelines: (1) Maxi-
becomes available
mizingCompatibilityand(2)Ideal.
overtime,tomodify
management
“Maximizing Compatibility” guidelines are for
plans.
landowners and resource managers who wish to
contribute to the conservation and stewardship of Monitor and
Modify Plan Evaluate
these animals while managing their land primarily
Success
forotheruses,suchastimberproduction,grazing,
agriculture, recreation, and residential or industrial
development.
2 WWW.PARCPLACE.ORG