Recent Project Accomplishments

Chauncey Anderson, in the Pacific Northwest Region, has worked with Mary Votek (USGS) and others to develop a new field/analytical technique for determinining the presence of Bd (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in water samples. This technique is currently being applied in a wide variety of studies that are starting to gain an understanding of where Bd occurs in the U.S. and how it moves or persists. The method and results from limited field sampling were recently published in an article in the Journal Diseases of Aquatic Organisms.

William Battaglin and Perry Jones both were members of the organizing committee that helped plan and conduct the workshop titled “Understanding Agriculture’s Effects on Amphibians and Reptiles in a Changing World”. This meeting brought together an international group of researchers from herpetologist to economists to review the current knowledge regarding the impacts of agricultural practices on amphibians and reptiles. Twenty-five presentations were given at the 2-day meeting which was attended by ~100 scientists. W. Battaglin gave an invited oral presentation titled "Pesticide and Fertilizer Use Worldwide with examples from the United States: Is the Potential for Exposure Widespread?”

Mike Lico, in the Southwest Region, worked with Robert Fisher’s group in San Diego to determine how much nitrogen is flushed from areas burned by the recent wildfires during the first significant runoff after the fire. The results showed that a few sites had nitrogen in the milligram per liter range, but nothing was tremendously elevated from natural conditions. Also 10 sites in Yosemite National Park, the San Jacinto Mountains, the San Bernardino Mountains, and the San Gabriel Mountains were sampled for Bd using a the new field method developed by Chauncey Anderson. Preliminary results indicated that Bd was present at 4 of the 10 sites.

Perry Jones, in the Midwest Region, worked with Walt Sadinski’s group and visited eight wood frog sites in St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Water samples were collected and analyzed for triazines herbicides, low-level nutrients, and Bd (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). Results indicated that triazines and Bd were absent or at very low concentrations at most sites.

Don Campbell, in the Rocky Mountain Region, continued collection water chemistry data in the Rocky Mountain Region in support of Erin Muths and her research team. Their long-term monitoring results highlight variability in water chemistry driven by climate extremes, hydrology, and water-sediment interactions. In 2007, Bd and water chemistry were sampled in a range of habitats including some where amphibians are absent, in order to determine if other organisms might spread the disease. A manuscript showing effects of fire on amphibian habitat in Glacier NP is in preparation by BRD and WRD scientists. 

Brian Hughes, in the Southeast Region, reports that due to the ongoing drought, ponds and ephemeral streams were dry and water samples for chemistry and Bd could not be collected in 2007. A report that will analyze the effects of storm surge overwash from hurricane Ivan on pond chemistry and amphibian populations in Florida is in preparation. A report on water chemistry at coastal refuges is also in preparation.

Karen Rice, in the Northeast Region, will continue working with Evan Grant and Larissa Bailey by sampling water quality in amphibian habitats at Patuxent, USDA, Rock Creek Park, and Shenandoah National Park.