Representation of
Wood Frog breeding locations at Saratoga National Historic Park
Dana Tricarico
Siena College
Loudonville, NY 12211
February 26, 2013
Introduction
The Wood Frog is a type of common frog between
one and three inches long. Its color ranges from pinkish-brown, tan, to dark
brown but is most easily recognized by its “mask” which stretches past both
eyes to the eardrum. This frog species is found in the woods, both by water and
far from the water, depending on its life cycle, in 31 states and 13 Canadian
Provinces (Wood Frog Species Page). They are also known for being one of the
first species of frogs to breed in early Spring (Moran). Typically, Wood Frogs
utilize the water woodlands by using vernal pools formed by spring rains and
snow melt as breeding pools, then spend their active season typically away from
standing water (Wood Frog Species Page).
Once breeding season comes, adult wood
frogs moves to the breeding pools, which are mainly favored due to the fact
that there are not fish or egg predators. However, these pools are subjected to
unpredictable aspects such as weather conditions (Wood Frog Species Page). Wood
Frogs, as well as all other amphibians are forced to deal with ecological
pressures associated with human activities (Wood Frog Species Page). The loss
of habitat and breeding pools due to factors such as deforestation and road
building as well as forms of air pollution, also contaminate breeding pools and
can cause serious damage to not only adult frogs but also their eggs, embryos
and tadpoles (Wood Frog Species Page). Because of these specific factors that
may alter the fluctuating numbers of Wood Frogs, it will be important to include
areas throughout the Saratoga Battlefield such as roads, wetlands and forests.
By looking at both abiotic and biotic variables it may help to determine a
relationship between some of the potential data layers I will use and the Wood
Frog breeding populations overtime.
Objectives
- Learn how to
correctly add layers onto data given to me from Dr. Kolosvary
- Developing a well-designed,
professional map to help researchers Dr. Kolosvary and Alexandra Natale predict
the relationships of wood frog breeding fluctuations and outside factors
Methodology
The GIS analysis will use techniques to
create a predictive model for Wood Frog Breeding populations and abiotic and
biotic factors that can be determined by creating appropriate data layers.
These data layers will include road, wetlands, forest, land cover, streams, open areas, and whatever else may be
a factor on the Saratoga Battlefield that may be creating the fluctuations of
wood frog breeding populations. These data layers will be included, along with
the main piece of information consisting of a map of the breeding pools at the
park as well as point coverage of study locations and the populations
themselves, based on GPS locations recorded last year.
The information being used will be
accumulated by Alexandra Natale, an undergraduate at Siena College, but will
also include a long-term dataset. This dataset will encompass wood frog clutch
size at breeding pools at Saratoga National Historical Park, from 2003 until
the present research this spring. Finally, an extent indicator will be included to show those unfamiliar with the site of the Saratoga Battlefield, where exactly in New York state it is. A boundary of the battlefield will be incorporated into the design of the map as well.
Data Sources
- GIS
coordinates for wood frog populations
- NYS GIS
Clearinghouse
- GPS
shapefiles for wetlands, roadways and forested areas using the Saratoga
battlefield GIS Dataset
Deliverables
- Map saved as an image
or PDF file to be printed out later on or used on Powerpoint slides
- Any new shape are
expected to be given to Dr. Kolosvary as well
Work Plan
Week of March 5 Meet
with Dr. Kolosvary and obtain source information for GPS
coordinates,
as well as shapefiles of the Saratoga Battlefield.
Week of March 12 Begin
working on the map. Add coordinate points as well as layers
given.
Week of March 19 Continue
to work on the map, adding whatever other shapefiles
And
data layers that are necessary for a cohesive map.
Week of April 2 Adjust
the symbology of each data layer to make sure each makes
Sense
for the context of the research being done.
Week of April 9 Begin
editing the rough draft. Make the layout format look
Presentable.
Week of April 16 Turn
in a finished rough draft to Dr. Kolosvary
Week of April 23 Use
the edits to make the final touches on the map
Week of April 30 Have
a finished draft of the map due
Works Cited
Moran, Mark. "Wood Frog: Rana
Sylvatica." Northern Virginia Ecology. Fairfax County
Public Schools, n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2013. <http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/e
cology/wood_frog.htm>.
"Wood Frog Species Page." Wood
Frog Species Page. The Pennsylvania State
University, 16 Feb. 2006. Web. 05 Mar. 2013. <http://www.psu.edu/dept/nkbi
ology/naturetrail/speciespages/woodfrog.html>
