Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Jones, Jeanne C.

Committee Member

Leopold, Bruce D.

Committee Member

Arner, Dale H.

Committee Member

Jones, W. Daryl

Date of Degree

5-5-2007

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Abstract

Habitat destruction and modification are major causes cited for the decline of amphibians worldwide (Wake and Morowitz 1991). Depressional wetlands on Pinckney Island NWR in Beaufort County, South Carolina were ditched and drained during the 1950?s for agricultural development. Wetlands were restored by filling ditches with existing spoil. I surveyed herpetofaunal and vegetation communities to determine responses to wetland restoration on Pinckney Island from 2004-2005. I selected ten wetlands each in pine and maritime habitats, sampling prior to and after restoration. I recorded 14 reptile and 9 amphibian species using time-constrained searches and funnel trap arrays. I documented (first record on the Island) Fowler?s toad (Bufo woodhousei) and many-lined salamander (Stereochilus marginatus). There were differences between amphibian species richness recorded using time constrained surveys and funnel trap arrays, amphibian species abundance between pine and maritime forest, and between number of Eastern spadefoot toads (Scaphiopus holbrooki) before and after restoration.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/16177

Comments

amphibians||wetland restoration||rainfall influences||reptiles||maritime forest||island||Wetland restoration--South Carolina--Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.||Reptile populations--South Carolina--Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.||Amphibian populations--South Carolina--Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.||Biodiversity conservation--South Carolina--Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge.

Download

Share

COinS