Methods
Spatial Analysis of Endangered Amphibians Species and Amphibian Species of Concern
· Add layer of NC county layer, protected area layer, and the layers for the seven different endangered species or species of concern (Dwarf Salamander, Four-Toed Salamander, Gopher Frog, Mole Salamander, Neuse River Waterdog, Tiger Salamander, and Wehrle’s Salamander)
· Add values for the amphibian data using raster calculator to find where more than one species overlap in habitat
Results:
Mapping the percent of land protected in each county and the number of amphibian species present out of ten common amphibian species, shows a correlation between the presence of protected areas and the presence of amphibians. The mountain, coastal and central piedmont regions have the highest percentage of protected lands, with the highest percentage falling in the most western counties of North Carolina. The largest occurrence of amphibians is in the eastern mountain region and the north eastern piedmont region. While the counties with the highest number of species in the mountain region do not correlate with the highest percentage of protected area, they all have at least 3% of land protected. However, in the north eastern regions with high numbers of amphibian species, the majority of the counties have less than 3% of land protected. This indicates that the current range of protected lands is not very adequate for the average amphibian species in the north eastern piedmont region of North Carolina.
In order to determine areas to protect that would be beneficial for all amphibian species, seven endangered species or species of concern were used as umbrella species. Areas where there are more than one umbrella species should be areas where there is more land protection. By comparing the current protected areas with the habitat of the umbrella species, it is apparent that much of the critical habitat is not located within protected areas. This is especially true in the south eastern piedmont region, where there is little land protection and large habitat regions for endangered species or species of concern.
Conclusion:
· Using ten common amphibian species of North Carolina shows that the current protected areas vary in suitability depending on the region.
o In the mountains the protected areas are doing a sufficient job but in the north eastern piedmont there is little land protection and a high number of amphibian species.
o This indicates that there should be more protection in the north eastern piedmont region.
· Comparing the current protected areas with the habitat distribution of the umbrella species indicates that there are several suitable areas for future protection.
o Many of these areas are in the south eastern and north western piedmont regions where there is little current land protection.
o The sandhill area shown in the figure is important to preserve in the future since it is the only region in North Carolina with four umbrella species.
· The two different analyses indicate that different areas need more protection.
o While endangered species and species of concern need to be protected, the differences in these two maps show that using these seven umbrella species is not entirely adequate for determining critical protection areas for all amphibian species.
· For a more accurate representation of which areas should be protected to ensure protection of all North Carolina amphibian species further analysis is needed.
o Either different or more umbrella species should be used so that their habitat range is a better representation of all North Carolina amphibians.