A Survey of the Amphibians of Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina and Georgia, U.S.A.

Abstract/Summary

rom 2004 to 2006, we used a variety of sampling techniques to survey the amphibians of Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR), a large protected area straddling the lower portions of the Savannah River on the border between South Carolina and Georgia, USA. We documented 22 amphibian species, 15 frogs and 7 salamanders, with a possible 23rd species present. Species richness was lower than what might be expected from amphibian field guides, likely due to a lack of specialized habitats, such as temporary ponds and upland pine forest, for many of the species inhabiting the adjacent Coastal Plain. Amphibians occupied a variety of habitats and appeared tolerant of the mildly acidic and low oxygen conditions of many of the wetlands. Although additional species may be found at SNWR, this initial survey provides a historic baseline for monitoring amphibian populations as areas adjacent to the refuge are disturbed, the climate changes, and as multi-use management objectives are implemented within refuge boundaries.