Study

Herpetofaunal community restoration in a post-urban landscape (New York and New Jersey)

  • Published source details Cook R.P. (2002) Herpetofaunal community restoration in a post-urban landscape (New York and New Jersey). Ecological Restoration, 20, 290-291.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Translocate amphibians

Action Link
Amphibian Conservation

Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Snakes

Action Link
Reptile Conservation

Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Translocate amphibians

    A replicated, before-and-after study in 1980–1999 of 19 amphibian translocations to five upland sites near to New York, USA (Cook 2002) found that nine translocations of four species resulted in established populations (spring peeper Pseudacris crucifer, grey tree frog Hyla versicolor, Fowler’s toad Bufo fowleri, redback salamander Plethodon cinereus). Four translocations of four species were likely to have been successful based on persistence of offspring records and one translocation failed. The success of five could not be assessed because of insufficient data. In 1980–1995, nine species of locally caught amphibians of different life stages were translocated to one or more of five sites. Monitoring involved frog call counts, funnel traps, drift-fences with pitfall traps, artificial coverboards and visual searches.

     

  2. Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Snakes

    A replicated study in 1980–1999 in five upland sites near to New York, USA (Cook 2002) found that of 13 translocations of snakes, at least five resulted in established populations. Five of 13 translocations of three species (northern brown snake Storeria dekayi, eastern milk snake Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum, black racer Coluber constrictor) resulted in established populations; four translocations of four species were likely to have been successful based on persistence of offspring records (smooth green snake Opheodrys vernalis, eastern hognose snake Heterodon platirhinos, eastern milk snake, black racer) and one translocation of eastern hognose snakes failed. The success of three translocations could not be assessed because of insufficient data (smooth green snake, eastern hognose snake, northern water snake Nerodia sipedon). In 1980–1995, six species of locally caught snakes of different life stages were translocated to one or more of five sites. At one of the sites, coarse woody debris and some temporary and permanent freshwater ponds were also added. Monitoring involved funnel traps, drift-fences with pitfall traps, artificial coverboards, visual searches and radio-telemetry.

    (Summarised by: William Morgan)

  3. Translocate adult or juvenile reptiles: Tortoises, terrapins, side-necked & softshell turtles

    A replicated study in 1980–1999 in five upland sites near to New York, USA (Cook 2002) found that of eight translocations of turtles, at least three resulted in established populations. Three translocations of three species (common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina, eastern painted turtle Chrysemys picta picta, eastern box turtle Terrapene carolina carolina) resulted in established populations and a further two translocations of two species were likely to have been successful (eastern painted turtle, eastern box turtle) based on persistence of offspring records. The success of the other three (common snapping turtle, eastern mud turtle Kinosternon subrubrum, spotted turtle Clemmys guttata) could not be assessed because of insufficient data. In 1980–1995, five species of locally caught turtles of different life stages were translocated to one or two sites. At one of the sites, coarse woody debris and some temporary and permanent freshwater ponds were also added. Monitoring involved funnel traps, drift-fences with pitfall traps, artificial coverboards, visual searches and radio-telemetry.

    (Summarised by: William Morgan)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust