Current Research Projects
Effects of wildfire on salamander populations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP)
Project Co-PI's: Dr. William Peterman (Ohio State University), Dr. Daniel Hocking (Frostburg State University), & Dr. Joseph Milanovich (Loyola University Chicago).
Funding Sources: Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center Research Grant (2017); Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association Carlos C. Campbell Fellowship (2017–2018); National Park Service Research Grant (2019–2020).
Funding Sources: Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center Research Grant (2017); Great Smoky Mountains Conservation Association Carlos C. Campbell Fellowship (2017–2018); National Park Service Research Grant (2019–2020).
Despite the importance of wildlife communities in ecosystem function and health, there is a paucity of information on animal responses to wildfires. The need to understand how wildfires will affect and alter the landscape is especially important for moisture-sensitive species because larger (and more severe) wildfires typically occur during periods of extended drought. Amphibians are a model taxon for investigating the effects of wildfire in animal communities due to their specific microhabitat needs, unique physiology, and importance in ecosystem functions. The Appalachian region of the U.S. is a global hotspot of diversity for lungless salamanders (family Plethodontidae) with >60 species occurring in the Appalachians and 25 species occurring within GSMNP alone. The primary objective of this study is to quantify the effects of the recent wildfire in GSMNP on plethodontid salamander populations, while our secondary objective is to provide a quantitative assessment of plethodontid salamander abundance changes in GSMNP based historical and contemporary data.
Critical conservation issues and adaptive management of imperiled herpetofauna in Illinois
Project Co-PI's: Dr. Michael Dreslik (University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey), Dr. Christopher Phillips (University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey), Mr. Andrew Kuhns (University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey), Mr. Ethan Kessler (University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey) & Dr. Jon Warner (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department).
Funding Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife Grant via USFWS (2017–2020).
Funding Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife Grant via USFWS (2017–2020).
Formalized methods of conservation planning are required to ensure both small-scale (species – population level) and large-scale (landscape – ecosystem) function is maintained. Most amphibian and reptile species in Illinois have been assessed by NatureServe and the IUCN; however, these rankings do not adequately convey the conservation concerns at smaller (i.e., state) scales. Of the 102 species of herpetofauna in Illinois, 38.4% have been identified as in greatest need of conservation, and 25% have been afforded protected status. Unfortunately, numerous information gaps exist across taxa to assess the level of threats to populations, with most information drawn from other geographic regions and not specific to landscape level issues in Illinois. The purpose of this project is to provide a unified approach to conservation planning for Illinois herpetofauna through a systematic process. A secondary goal of this project is to formulate and prepare best conservation practices guidelines for all endangered and threatened (E&T) herpetofauna and to select two E&T species for full conservation plans.
Assessment of herpetological SGNC in Illinois bottomland forests and swamps
Project Co-PI's: Mr. Andrew Kuhns (University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey), Dr. Christopher Phillips (University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey) & Dr. Michael Dreslik (University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey).
Funding Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife Grant via USFWS (2017–2019).
Funding Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife Grant via USFWS (2017–2019).
Greater than 90% of original wetlands in Illinois have been lost for various land uses and most remaining wetlands have been degraded. Wooded wetlands (bottomland forest ponds and swamps) are a critical ecological habitat concentrated in southern Illinois and are important to a number of species. Amphibians and reptiles play critical roles in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, reach their highest diversities in the wooded wetlands of southern Illinois, and serve as important ecological indicators of overall wooded wetland health and function. However, the distribution, abundance, and population trends of most amphibian and reptile Species in Greatest Need of Conservation (SGNC) are poorly understood and data are lacking to quantify any potential declines in Illinois. The main purpose of this project is to provide current information on the status and distribution of amphibian and reptile SGNC in southern Illinois bottomland forests and swamps within three Conservation Opportunity Areas.
Distribution, abundance, and recruitment of amphibian SGNC in central Illinois
Project Co-PI's: Mr. Andrew Kuhns (University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey), Dr. Christopher Phillips (University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey) & Dr. William Peterman (Ohio State University).
Funding Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife Grant via USFWS (2016–2018).
Funding Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife Grant via USFWS (2016–2018).
Seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands provide essential habitat for many amphibian species. In Illinois, more than 90% of historical wetlands have been lost. This has contributed to concern for apparent local amphibian extinctions and widespread decreases in abundance. Further, recruitment rates into the adult population are not well understood but believed to be low. In this study, we are sampling more than 30 wetlands in east-central Illinois to: 1) identify breeding wetlands used by Silvery Salamanders, Four-toed Salamanders and Wood Frogs; and 2) assess abundance of adults during the breeding season, as well as late stage larvae to determine general distribution, abundance and recruitment rates. Additionally, we have fully drift-fenced 6 wetlands (4 recently created and 2 reference) to quantify demographic patterns of individuals using the wetlands, determine how climatic and environmental variables affect wetland use, recruitment and productivity, and assess if created wetlands are functioning similarly to reference wetlands.
Monitoring the impacts of management activities on the Illinois Chorus Frog in central Illinois
Project Co-PI's: Dr. Christopher Phillips (University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey) & Mr. Andrew Kuhns
(University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey).
Funding Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife Grant via USFWS (2016–2018).
(University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey).
Funding Source: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State Wildlife Grant via USFWS (2016–2018).
The Illinois Chorus Frog (Pseudacris illinoensis; ICF) is a fossorial species endemic to the sand prairies of Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas. In Missouri it is a Species of Conservation Concern and in Arkansas it is designated as an Inventory Element, meaning available data suggests it is of conservation concern. In Illinois the ICF is a state threatened species. Threats facing the ICF include habitat loss and degradation, especially from agriculture and invasion of woody vegetation. For the past several years, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has been conducting management activities aimed at restoring ICF habitat Illinois. These efforts have resulted in the creation of several breeding wetlands and clearing of woody and exotic invasive plants at existing wetlands on IDNR and private lands. The objectives of this study are to estimate the impacts of these management actions on the distribution, abundance, and recruitment of ICFs in the Illinois River Valley.