carol_pollio@nps.gov
Chief, Division of Resource Management; Prince William Forest Park, Virginia


Back to Chapter 2: NPS Science

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By Kathleen Kodish Reeder

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By Scott Gremel

Return of the muskox to Gates of the Arctic
By James Lawler

Paleontological inventories unearth the remains of ancient life in parks
By Vincent L. Santucci

Award-Winner Profile - Dan Foster honored for resource monitoring

Sulfur dioxide advisory system installed at Hawaii Volcanoes

Beaver, river otter, and muskrat inventoried in Grand Canyon

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The critical decline of amphibian populations has gained worldwide attention. Frequently, units of the national park system have little if any baseline data on amphibians and their habitat. Prince William Forest Park (Virginia) was no exception until a partnership evolved between park staff and geologists with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

In 1995 the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine was reclaimed after years of coordination between the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy and the Geologic Resources Division, Water Resources Division, and other natural resource staff of the National Park Service. After the reclamation, the amphibians gained the attention of the geologists by using numerous pools of surface water designed to minimize acid mine drainage. By 1998 the geologists had teamed up with the resource management staff of the park to initiate monitoring of the amphibians.

Monitoring of the amphibians comprises (1) anuran calling surveys, (2) community structure and breeding surveys, (3) identification and digitization of amphibian breeding sites with geographic information systems, (4) development of educational materials, and (5) development of an interactive Web-based training program. With information from the literature, resource management staff developed a monitoring protocol in 1997 and began water sampling in 1998. The protocol prescribes the recording of anuran calls, visual encounter surveys, dipnetting and identification of larvae, and use of egg bags to enumerate hatch success. Monthly grab water samples are analyzed for 67 parameters, including aluminum, copper, lead, and zinc. The USGS conducts soil-pH and geoelectrical surveys, solid material characterization, and radiogenic isotope studies. The data are used for in-depth analyses of site conditions, levels of inorganic constituents, and characterization of surface and groundwater, which will be used to determine the relationship between habitat condition and community structure.

The amphibian monitoring program also includes a dynamic educational component. In 2000, park staff and volunteers developed an amphibian brochure, an intranet page, an interactive CD-ROM, and a detailed training manual. Interpretive staff at the park developed amphibian programs and worked with the resource management staff to expand the programs to local schools.

The park first sought funding for the program from the Science Division of the National Capital Region in 1999 and matched the funds with money from the base funds of the park and funds from the Volunteers-in-Parks Program. From 1997 to 2000, the USGS donated expertise and laboratory analyses valued at approximately $50,000 per year. In 2000, park staff expanded the surveys of anuran calling and amphibian habitat by conducting them throughout the park.

The success of this partnership is already evident. The park now has unparalleled baseline data on amphibian breeding success, characterization and identification of critical amphibian habitat, and corresponding water chemistry data. The monitoring of amphibians has become an integral part of the park’s Inventory and Monitoring Program and has park support for its continuation. Finally, the park developed long-lasting partnerships with scientists, educators, and members of the public who provide continuous feedback for the program as new issues and technologies emerge.

The data, collected by scientists from diverse disciplines, will be invaluable in protecting amphibian communities because they will allow resource managers to monitor changes in these populations and their habitat. As trends are identified, efforts can be focused on particular species or threatened habitats to ensure the highest level of protection for them.

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Last Updated: 06/17/2001
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