Catawba River Corridor Coverboard Program: A Citizen Science Approach to Amphibian and Reptile Inventory
Shannon
E. Pittman and Michael E. Dorcas
Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035-7118
Abstract
Coverboards are a useful inventory tool for many species of amphibians
and reptiles, and provide a simple and effective method to involve the
public in scientific research. The Davidson College Catawba River Corridor
Coverboard Program (CRCCP) was initiated in 2003 to help coordinate the
efforts of public and private sectors in surveying amphibians and reptiles.
Fourteen sites were established within the Catawba River Corridor in North
and South Carolina. Participants included schools, private industries
and locally-operated nature preserves. The Davidson College Herpetology
Laboratory and Duke Power Environmental Laboratory helped set out coverboards
at each site. The CRCCP website (www.ccari.org) provided participants
with assistance in species identification, protocols and online datasheets.
A total of 38 species was documented between 2003 and 2005, including
18 species of amphibians and 20 species of reptiles. Coverboards proved
more effective for inventory of salamanders, anurans and lizards (47%,
44% and 48%, respectively, of within-range species), and less effective
for snakes and turtles (35%, and 24%, respectively, of within-range species).
The CRCCP provided the opportunity for many people, including numerous
school children, to become involved in scientific research. Although acceptance
of species identification necessitates caution without voucher photographs,
the program has added significantly to our knowledge of the distributions
of amphibians and reptiles in the region. Data collected through the CRCCP
are essential to the development of effective monitoring programs and
conservation measures.
Keywords
coverboard; inventory; herpetology; citizen science; outreach; PVC pipes;
survey
SREL Reprint #3053
Pittman, S. E. and M. E. Dorcas 2006. Catawba River Corridor Coverboard
Program: A Citizen Science Approach to Amphibian and Reptile Inventory.
Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science 122(4):142-151.
