Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) - Characterizing Wetland Habitat and Hydrology
Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)
Squirrel Treefrog (Hyla squirella)
Kingfisher Pond, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Panacea Unit, Wakulla County, Florida
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) began in 2000 with the goal of determining the status and trends of amphibian populations throughout the U.S. The program was designed to provide information useful in determining causes of declines or other changes in population distributions. Personnel in the South Atlantic Water Science Center are responsible for collecting and analyzing hydrologic and water-quality data associated with amphibian monitoring sites that are primarily located on Department of Interior lands including national parks and national wildlife refuges.
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) began in 2000 with the goal of determining the status and trends of amphibian populations throughout the U.S. The program was designed to provide information useful in determining causes of declines or other changes in population distributions and is divided geographically into seven regions. Personnel in the South Atlantic Water Science Center are responsible for collecting and analyzing hydrologic and water-quality data associated with amphibian monitoring sites that are primarily located on Department of Interior lands (national parks and national wildlife refuges). The southeastern U.S. has the highest diversity and abundance of amphibians nationally, with over 140 known species and as many as one million amphibians per square kilometer.
Early in the program, water-quality data were collected at selected amphibian sampling locations to support understanding of the occurrence and long-term changes in amphibian populations. Data were collected in vernal pools, streams, springs, and subterranean pools and streams. Field parameters included field measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, and turbidity and laboratory analyses of major ions, nutrients, and metals. Most sites were sampled for organic carbon and a few sites were sampled for pesticides. From 2007 - 2010, many sites were sampled for the chytridiomycosis causing fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a pathogen that can cause high mortality in amphibians and has been identified as a major cause of amphibian declines worldwide. In 2010, research began to focus on characterizing wetland habitat and hydrology with a particular aim at better understanding the factors that influence the wetting and drying dynamics in small wetlands and developing models to predict those dynamics.
ARMI Mission Statement
In response to indications of worldwide declines in amphibian populations, the President and Congress directed Interior Department agencies 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. The U.S. Geological Survey is uniquely qualified to coordinate and lead a cooperative national effort because its scientists have been in the forefront of studying amphibian populations and life history traits, measuring and monitoring environmental characteristics, and conducting research into potential causes of decline. As a result, the Agency formed the National Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI).
ARMI Goals and Objectives
- Provide information to natural resource managers on the status and trends of amphibians
- Relate status and trends to management options at the scale of management units.
- Identify causes of declines.
- Provide essential scientific information to support effective management actions to arrest or reverse declines.
Release Date: 11/02/2016
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) began in 2000 with the goal of determining the status and trends of amphibian populations throughout the U.S. The program was designed to provide information useful in determining causes of declines or other changes in population distributions. Personnel in the South Atlantic Water Science Center are responsible for collecting and analyzing hydrologic and water-quality data associated with amphibian monitoring sites that are primarily located on Department of Interior lands including national parks and national wildlife refuges.
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) began in 2000 with the goal of determining the status and trends of amphibian populations throughout the U.S. The program was designed to provide information useful in determining causes of declines or other changes in population distributions and is divided geographically into seven regions. Personnel in the South Atlantic Water Science Center are responsible for collecting and analyzing hydrologic and water-quality data associated with amphibian monitoring sites that are primarily located on Department of Interior lands (national parks and national wildlife refuges). The southeastern U.S. has the highest diversity and abundance of amphibians nationally, with over 140 known species and as many as one million amphibians per square kilometer.
Early in the program, water-quality data were collected at selected amphibian sampling locations to support understanding of the occurrence and long-term changes in amphibian populations. Data were collected in vernal pools, streams, springs, and subterranean pools and streams. Field parameters included field measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, and turbidity and laboratory analyses of major ions, nutrients, and metals. Most sites were sampled for organic carbon and a few sites were sampled for pesticides. From 2007 - 2010, many sites were sampled for the chytridiomycosis causing fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a pathogen that can cause high mortality in amphibians and has been identified as a major cause of amphibian declines worldwide. In 2010, research began to focus on characterizing wetland habitat and hydrology with a particular aim at better understanding the factors that influence the wetting and drying dynamics in small wetlands and developing models to predict those dynamics.
ARMI Mission Statement
In response to indications of worldwide declines in amphibian populations, the President and Congress directed Interior Department agencies 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. The U.S. Geological Survey is uniquely qualified to coordinate and lead a cooperative national effort because its scientists have been in the forefront of studying amphibian populations and life history traits, measuring and monitoring environmental characteristics, and conducting research into potential causes of decline. As a result, the Agency formed the National Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI).
ARMI Goals and Objectives
- Provide information to natural resource managers on the status and trends of amphibians
- Relate status and trends to management options at the scale of management units.
- Identify causes of declines.
- Provide essential scientific information to support effective management actions to arrest or reverse declines.
Release Date: 11/02/2016