Northeast Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative
Active
By Eastern Ecological Science Center
April 20, 2023
Shenandoah Salamander
Plethodon shenandoah
Plethodon shenandoah
Overlook at Shenandoah National Park
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Eastern Ecological Science Center is home to the Northeast Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (NEARMI), one of 7 ARMI regions across the United States. NEARMI works on public lands in thirteen states from Maine to Virginia, including many National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges.
Dr. Evan H. Campbell Grant coordinates ARMI activities in the Northeast by conducting and developing amphibian research and monitoring projects. Research by NEARMI staff at the US Geological Survey's Eastern Ecological Science Center provides public land managers (like the National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service) information they need on the current status of amphibians, how amphibian distributions have change or are expected to change over time, and threats to populations. Data from the Northeast is also used collaboratively to evaluate questions about amphibian declines, threats, and changes over time at larger spatial scales.
NEARMI works to provide timely science not only about common, widespread species, but also to assist with conservation of species at risk and those being evaluated for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Work on these species may include field surveys, data analysis, or decision support for local managers. Many NEARMI projects are long-term collaborations and involve decision science, a set of tools and techniques for evaluating multiple goals and unknowns to aid resource management decisions.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Collaborative Project to Understand Red-backed Salamander Population Dynamics and Adaptation
In 2013, the Salamander Population and Adaptation Research Network started as a partnership between researchers at Penn State University and the USGS Northeast Amphibian and Research Monitoring Initiative with the intention of creating a research network to address adaptation and population dynamics across multiple scales. Our goals are to understand impacts of land use and weather conditions on...
Assessing amphibian communities in the National Capital Region
The National Capital Region Network (NCRN) has identified amphibians as a priority taxonomic group for its Inventory and Monitoring program. Amphibian monitoring was initiated in 2005, and is currently concentrated in Antietam National Battlefield (ANTI), Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO), Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (CHOH), George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP), Harpers...
Monitoring Vernal Pool Amphibians in the Northeast
In 2004, the Northeast Amphibian Research Monitoring Initiative (NE ARMI) in collaboration with National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a region-wide study on the distribution of vernal pools and estimate the proportion of pools that were occupied by pool-associated amphibians (specifically, wood frogs, Lithobates sylvaticus, and spotted salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum).
Pre-listing Science Support in the Northeast
We are working closely with multiple partners to provide updated information, model potential outcomes, and identify key uncertainties relevant to amphibian and reptile species proposed for listing in the northeast US. We also provide timely science to partners to assist in recovery of listed species, which may involve field research, data analysis, or decision support.
Assessing Amphibian Disease Risk in the Northeast
Disease in amphibian populations can have a range of effects, from devastating declines following introduction of a novel pathogen to recurring breakout events on a landscape. Elucidating mechanisms underlying the effects of diseases on amphibian populations is crucial to help managers make appropriate decisions to achieve management goals for amphibians.
Managing the Future Status of the Shenandoah Salamander
The Shenandoah salamander is listed as an endangered salamander that is at risk of extinction due to its small, high-elevation range, competition with the co-occurring red-backed salamander, and the predicted habitat changes in the Appalachian mountain range. We are working with multiple partners to understand the current status of the species, predict future status, and continually engage...
North American Amphibian Monitoring Program
The North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) was a collaborative citizen science effort between the US Geological Survey (USGS) and 26 partners (state agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations) for monitoring calling amphibian populations over much of the eastern and central United States. Initiated in 1997, in response to needs set forth by the Declining Amphibian Populations...
Below are FAQ associated with this project.
What is the United States doing about amphibian deformity and decline issues?
In response to indications of worldwide declines in amphibian populations, Interior Department agencies were directed to initiate a national program of amphibian monitoring, research, and conservation. There is an urgent need to determine the scope and severity of the problem and to investigate causes. As a result, the USGS formed the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI). The main...
What causes deformities in frogs, toads, and other amphibians?
Malformed frogs first came to national attention in 1995. Since that time, reports of malformed frogs and other amphibians have increased dramatically. Malformations have been reported in at least 44 states and in more than 50 species of frogs and toads. Multiple limbs, missing limbs, and facial abnormalities are the main malformations seen. Frog malformations are the result of environmental...
How many amphibian species are there in the United States?
More than 6,000 amphibian species exist worldwide, with approximately 300 of them found in the United States. The USGS is the lead agency for the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI), a program of amphibian monitoring, research, and conservation that was established in response to the worldwide decline of amphibian species.
Why are amphibian populations declining?
Research suggests that even though amphibians are severely declining worldwide, there is no smoking gun—and thus no simple solution—to halting or reversing these declines. Though every region in the United States has suffered amphibian declines, threats differ among regions. They include: Human influence from the Mississippi River east, including the metropolitan areas of the Northeast and the...
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Collaborative Project to Understand Red-backed Salamander Population Dynamics and Adaptation
In 2013, the Salamander Population and Adaptation Research Network started as a partnership between researchers at Penn State University and the USGS Northeast Amphibian and Research Monitoring Initiative with the intention of creating a research network to address adaptation and population dynamics across multiple scales. Our goals are to understand impacts of land use and weather conditions on...
Assessing amphibian communities in the National Capital Region
The National Capital Region Network (NCRN) has identified amphibians as a priority taxonomic group for its Inventory and Monitoring program. Amphibian monitoring was initiated in 2005, and is currently concentrated in Antietam National Battlefield (ANTI), Catoctin Mountain Park (CATO), Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (CHOH), George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP), Harpers...
Monitoring Vernal Pool Amphibians in the Northeast
In 2004, the Northeast Amphibian Research Monitoring Initiative (NE ARMI) in collaboration with National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a region-wide study on the distribution of vernal pools and estimate the proportion of pools that were occupied by pool-associated amphibians (specifically, wood frogs, Lithobates sylvaticus, and spotted salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum).
Pre-listing Science Support in the Northeast
We are working closely with multiple partners to provide updated information, model potential outcomes, and identify key uncertainties relevant to amphibian and reptile species proposed for listing in the northeast US. We also provide timely science to partners to assist in recovery of listed species, which may involve field research, data analysis, or decision support.
Assessing Amphibian Disease Risk in the Northeast
Disease in amphibian populations can have a range of effects, from devastating declines following introduction of a novel pathogen to recurring breakout events on a landscape. Elucidating mechanisms underlying the effects of diseases on amphibian populations is crucial to help managers make appropriate decisions to achieve management goals for amphibians.
Managing the Future Status of the Shenandoah Salamander
The Shenandoah salamander is listed as an endangered salamander that is at risk of extinction due to its small, high-elevation range, competition with the co-occurring red-backed salamander, and the predicted habitat changes in the Appalachian mountain range. We are working with multiple partners to understand the current status of the species, predict future status, and continually engage...
North American Amphibian Monitoring Program
The North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) was a collaborative citizen science effort between the US Geological Survey (USGS) and 26 partners (state agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations) for monitoring calling amphibian populations over much of the eastern and central United States. Initiated in 1997, in response to needs set forth by the Declining Amphibian Populations...
Below are FAQ associated with this project.
What is the United States doing about amphibian deformity and decline issues?
In response to indications of worldwide declines in amphibian populations, Interior Department agencies were directed to initiate a national program of amphibian monitoring, research, and conservation. There is an urgent need to determine the scope and severity of the problem and to investigate causes. As a result, the USGS formed the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI). The main...
What causes deformities in frogs, toads, and other amphibians?
Malformed frogs first came to national attention in 1995. Since that time, reports of malformed frogs and other amphibians have increased dramatically. Malformations have been reported in at least 44 states and in more than 50 species of frogs and toads. Multiple limbs, missing limbs, and facial abnormalities are the main malformations seen. Frog malformations are the result of environmental...
How many amphibian species are there in the United States?
More than 6,000 amphibian species exist worldwide, with approximately 300 of them found in the United States. The USGS is the lead agency for the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI), a program of amphibian monitoring, research, and conservation that was established in response to the worldwide decline of amphibian species.
Why are amphibian populations declining?
Research suggests that even though amphibians are severely declining worldwide, there is no smoking gun—and thus no simple solution—to halting or reversing these declines. Though every region in the United States has suffered amphibian declines, threats differ among regions. They include: Human influence from the Mississippi River east, including the metropolitan areas of the Northeast and the...