Modeling Salamander Habitat and Connectivity in Durham and Orange Counties, North Carolina
Abstract
Salamander species in the Piedmont region of North Carolina are under-studied. This
region is undergoing rapid expansion, urbanization, and human population growth, all
of which will affect salamander habitat and salamanders directly, making it important
to know where populations are currently located. This project assessed the usage of
two methods, rule-based modeling and Maxent modeling, to predict habitat for eleven
species of salamander found in Durham and Orange counties. These predicted habitat
maps can be used to prioritize land conservation, areas for on-the-ground salamander
surveys or management, and areas to avoid the use of certain forest management activities.
The project also assessed the connectivity of ponds and wetlands used by pond-breeding
salamanders. Corridors between ponds were identified for each Duke Forest division,
and potential conflict areas with roads were highlighted. The results can be used
to mitigate road mortality during breeding seasons, when large numbers of adults migrate,
and after breeding seasons, when juveniles metamorphose and emigrate. Despite being
one of the most urbanized parts of the state, the Triangle region of North Carolina
is still home to a surprising diversity of salamander species. As the region grows,
salamander habitat will dwindle, making it important to identify and conserve the
best habitat and current salamander populations.
Type
Master's projectPermalink
https://hdl.handle.net/10161/18336Citation
Geschke, Julia (2019). Modeling Salamander Habitat and Connectivity in Durham and Orange Counties, North
Carolina. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/18336.Collections
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