Purpose
The Amphibian Foundation (Atlanta, GA) has initiated a program to monitor amphibian communities in the metropolitan Atlanta region. By involving professionals, local experts, volunteers, interns and trained ‘citizen scientists’, we hope to collect data on the 14 species of frog and 14 species of salamander native to Greater Atlanta (Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb and Gwinnett counties). In time, this data could provide us with vital information on the health and status of our urban amphibian communities, as well as identify potential sites for conservation and habitat restoration.
Survey Sites
Site selection criteria is as follows 1) Locations already under stewardship as habitat restoration sites, 2) Sites we have been requested to monitor by local park managers and 3) Sites identified as occupied by amphibians.
Sonic Surveys
Surveys are conducted at least once a month at each identified site using the Frog Call Index protocol first implemented by USGS for the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP). The NAAMP has been monitoring amphibian population trends throughout North America since 2001. A 5 minute sonic survey is performed at the beginning of each field survey.
Visual Surveys
In addition to call surveys, participants walk a standardized route in order to visually detect amphibian presence in non-calling modes (e.g. eggs, larvae, sub-adults, and non-calling adults). Whenever possible, routes are tracked with GPS, and breeding populations marked and identified to species.
Data Collection
All data (e.g. field data sheets, audio recordings, GPS data) is submitted to the MAAMP Coordinator through this website or emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for analysis. After at least two years of data are collected at a site, it can be used to show community trends using Site Occupancy Modeling similar to Weir, L et all (2009) Trends in Anuran Occupancy from Northeastern States of the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 4(3):389-402.
Requirements
Participants in MAAMP surveys are requested to visit their sites at least once per calendar month, and be able to pass the Amphibian Identification Quiz on this site.
Resource Links
maamp.frogsneedourhelp.org | Information and updates on the MAAMP
https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/Frogquiz/ | USGS frog call quiz: Go to ‘Public Quiz’ and then select ‘Georgia’
https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/naamp/ | North American Amphibian Monitoring Program site
http://wwknapp.home.mindspring.com/GAFrog.Toad.html | Frogs and Toads of Georgia
http://srelherp.uga.edu/anurans/ | Savannah River Ecology Lab
http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/682 | 'Calls of the Wild' GA DNR Frog Call CD
