Meeting Abstract

P1.33  Saturday, Jan. 4 15:30  Vernal Pool Distribution on Assateague Island, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, VA DODGIN, S/R*; LUNARDI, P/N; HRANITZ, J/M; Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania; Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania; Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania srd89161@huskies.bloomu.edu

Climate change poses a major threat to barrier islands and their communities through the consequences of sea level rise and erosion. Increased severity and frequency of coastal storms also make barrier islands vulnerable to flooding and salt water intrusion into the freshwater habitats important to mid-level consumers such as anurans. Four anurans (Fowlers Toad (Anaxyrus (Bufo) fowleri), American Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinera), Bull Frog (Lithobates catesbeiana) and Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) occur on the island, all of which rely on freshwater pools to breed and forage. The goal of this study was to describe the distribution of vernal pools on Assateague Island (VA) in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. We found that many pools are created by one or multiple fallen trees after storms, creating a sometimes elaborate network of seasonal wetlands. Many of these pools are completely dry by late May to early August. During our study from May 26- August 2, 2013, we found salinities ranging from 0 to 25 ppt and areas from 2.7 to 4098 M2. Pools were found in habitats ranging from maritime forest, loblolly pine forest, loblolly/maritime forest, mixed coniferous forest and secondary dunes scrub. We found anurans in various larval and adult stages in or near 44 of 87 vernal pools. These results show that anurans rely on these unique habitats that are threatened by climate change.