Research Brief: Impact of automobiles on spring breeding migrations of amphibians

Amphibians are most active during the night. Therefore researchers must work in dark conditions.

Courtesy of Dr. Steve Ressel

Steve Ressel, College of the Atlantic

What does your research hope to answer/investigate?

It is well documented that untold numbers of amphibians die each year as road kill. This exploratory project seeks to quantify the impact of road kill on amphibian populations In Acadia National Park by focusing on Duck Brook Road, a section of park roadway that is open to vehicle traffic year-round. The presence of breeding pools adjacent to or in close proximity to this road suggests that Duck Brook Road could bisect the migratory routes of both spring- and summer-breeding amphibians.

Please describe your process for investigation? Are there clear stages or benchmarks that your research project will have along the way?

My protocol consists of walking a designated section of roadway from late March to late May on nights when temperature and moisture levels are conducive to amphibian movement across the landscape. Upon encountering an animal, I record the following data: species, alive or dead, and GPS location. Roadway is surveyed once/night.

How does this project help contribute to scientific understanding or management solutions beyond Acadia?

The extent to which road kill negatively impacts one or more species of amphibians in this region of Acadia National Park is currently unknown. Documenting the presence and extent of amphibian road kill on Duck Brook Road will allow ANP to make more informed decisions regarding the future rebuilding/repairing and use of this road.