Environmental Science Portfolio: FrogWatch USA

Started: April 2018
Ended: Active
Total Hours: 62

FrogWatch USA is a program created by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

View "Certification"

Purpose of monitoring and what data shows

Describes local species diversity
Detect rare and invasive species
Suggests shifts in species diversity, range, and phenology over time
Serve as indicator of wetland health
Inform development of land management strategies

Guidelines for Monitoring

Conducted no earlier than 30 minutes after sunset
Able to listen to complete evaluation of site (cannot have any other external sounds)
Testing done above 35 degrees Fahrenheit
It is not too windy and not raining hard

Information recorded of site

Type of habitat: What kind of wetland is it
Origin of wetland: Is it natural, altered, human made or other factors
Sources or origin of water: Pond, lake, stream or other water source
Permanence of water
Use of land adjacent to wetland
Use of land within wetland
Latitude and longitude

What is monitored

Temperature: Current and past 48 hours
Wind speed
Precipitation last 48 hours
Species observed: See Ohio frog and toad specie list below
Specie's calling intensity
Any additional comments of survey
See data sheet below for more details

How I monitor

A survey form is completed that records site information such as site habitat, wetland origin, water presence (permanent, temporary, etc.…), water source and latitude/longitude. An observation datasheet is also completed that records weather conditions such as wind, temperature and precipitation. That last step on this form is information on the frogs or toads. This includes the actual surveying and is calculated by sound intensity. Any additional notes are also recorded on this form.

Sound intensity on a four point scale from no species heard to extreme intensity. I use audio files on my iPad to help me identify sounds present and perform surveys at various locations weekly from spring to fall. This information will be documented on the designated website for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Monitoring Summary

Monitored seven different observation sites (see "sites") page.
Species found: American Bullfrog, American Toad, Fowler's Toad, Green Frog, Green Tree Frog, Spring Peepers,

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