Event Title
A Comparative Study of Herpetofauana at Lowland and Highland Sites in Central Maine
Location
Diamond 153
Start Date
1-5-2014 1:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 2:50 PM
Project Type
Presentation
Description
In this investigation, I compared herpetofaunal diversity between sites within the Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) and Belgrade Regional Conservation Association (BRCA). I hypothesized that the lowland KLT trails would harbor greater diversity than the highland trails of the BRCA given that herps tend to exhibit a monotonic decline in richness across an elevation gradient. . A total of 18 visual encounter surveys and coverboard surveys were used to record field data in the fall. Additional data were compiled from records of the Maine Amphibian and Reptile Atlasing Project (MARAP) for each townships in which the KLT and BRCA has properties. Data from 14 townships were compiled into a composite KLT community, and data from the townships of Rome and Vienna generated the BRCA community. I calculated Whitakers beta diversity index for the two sites to determine between site diversity considering herpetofaunal diversity within Kennebec County as the gamma diversity. Bray-Curtis dissimilarity was also calculated to indicate differences amongst the two sites. Lastly, Shannon diversity indices and Shannons equitability values were generated for the two sites, revealing higher species diversity at the KLT properties than BRCA properties. Thus, these two sites in central Maine reinforce the global trend of monotonic decline in herpetofaunal richness.
Faculty Sponsor
Cathy Bevier
Sponsoring Department
Colby College. Biology Dept.
CLAS Field of Study
Natural Sciences
Event Website
http://www.colby.edu/clas
ID
418
A Comparative Study of Herpetofauana at Lowland and Highland Sites in Central Maine
Diamond 153
In this investigation, I compared herpetofaunal diversity between sites within the Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) and Belgrade Regional Conservation Association (BRCA). I hypothesized that the lowland KLT trails would harbor greater diversity than the highland trails of the BRCA given that herps tend to exhibit a monotonic decline in richness across an elevation gradient. . A total of 18 visual encounter surveys and coverboard surveys were used to record field data in the fall. Additional data were compiled from records of the Maine Amphibian and Reptile Atlasing Project (MARAP) for each townships in which the KLT and BRCA has properties. Data from 14 townships were compiled into a composite KLT community, and data from the townships of Rome and Vienna generated the BRCA community. I calculated Whitakers beta diversity index for the two sites to determine between site diversity considering herpetofaunal diversity within Kennebec County as the gamma diversity. Bray-Curtis dissimilarity was also calculated to indicate differences amongst the two sites. Lastly, Shannon diversity indices and Shannons equitability values were generated for the two sites, revealing higher species diversity at the KLT properties than BRCA properties. Thus, these two sites in central Maine reinforce the global trend of monotonic decline in herpetofaunal richness.
https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/clas/2014/program/273