Colorado
Division
of Wildife
launches
herpeto-faunal
atlas
By Todd Malmsbury
After nearly three years of planning and research, the Colorado
Division of Wildlife (DOW) species conservation section will launch an interactive,
online atlas featuring scientific and historical data, computer sound files,
and digital photos of the state’s frogs, toads, salamanders, lizards, turtles,
and snakes.
Visitors to the new Web-based Colorado Herpetofaunal Atlas will
be able to learn more about some of Colorado’s least-known native species
and practice citizen science by submitting information whenever they spot
“herps” in their backyard or the backcountry. The goal for DOW biologists
is to gather enough data from students, researchers and casual observers to
determine whether the decline of some species is cause for alarm or part of
a natural fluctuation pattern.
“Reptiles and amphibians are not studied or understood as well as
the other species out there. Additional information will help us understand
what’s happening with these populations,” said Tina Jungwirth, the DOW’s aquatic
herptile coordinator, who specializes in amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans,
and the little fishes of the Eastern Plains. “If the public understands how
important these species are they’ll be more inclined to help us protect them.
The public is a great resource for us.”
When it went live on June 7 the atlas included 25,000 pieces of
historical data on herpetofaunal species dating back to the late 1800s. Jungwirth
and high-tech contractors who helped the DOW design the Web site tapped into
a litany of resources to set up the database, including scientific surveys,
historical journals, and museum specimens.
The site offers observers maps indicating where herpetofaunal species
have been sighted in Colorado. Once they have registered as herpetofaunal
observers, atlas users will be able to record their own sightings and observations
from any location in the state simply by logging onto the DOW Web site. They
will also be able to access digital photos and listen to different species
via digital audio WAVE files.
Brenda Beatty, a senior ecologist with CDM, the environmental and
technical consulting firm that helped the DOW design its interactive atlas,
said public participation will be a critical component of the project.
“All contributions are considered important to the understanding
of the occurrence, distribution and abundance of reptiles and amphibians in
Colorado,” Beatty said.
Through the new atlas, visitors will enter the little-known world
of several species, including the boreal toad, which lives at elevations of
8,000 feet or higher in the Colorado high country. Scientists already know
some of the factors working against boreal toads, which emerge in late April
and early May. For one, the toads’ offspring must develop quickly, transforming
from egg to toad before ponds freeze over in late September. Also affecting
the toads is a damaging skin fungus called chytrid.
The boreal toad is listed as endangered in Colorado and is a candidate
for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. By accumulating long-term
data on sightings, biologists hope to assess more accurately where the toads
live and what sorts of factors are contributing to their downfall.
Atlas users will be encouraged to ask questions, too. Jungwirth,
who studied environmental biology at the University of Colorado at Boulder,
will answer questions through a Web-based feature called “Ask a Herpetologist.”
While she is an excellent fit for her new job, Jungwirth credited retired
DOW Aquatic Herptile Coordinator Chuck Loeffler with the atlas’ conception.
Biologists hope to receive sightings from all corners of the state
to add to the database and maps. Anyone who wishes to register
for the herpetofaunal atlas field training sessions should send
their name and contact information to Rawlinsonrc@cdm.com
or call (720) 264-1145.
Visitors to the Colorado Herpetofaunal Atlas will be able to log
onto the new Web site: http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/herpatlas/coherpatlas.
