Mine Spoil Prairies Expand Critical Habitat for Endangered and Threatened Amphibian and Reptile Species

Diversity

Michael J. Lannoo³  Vanessa C. Kinney¹  Jennifer L. Heemeyer¹  Nathan J. Engbrecht¹  Alisa L. Gallant² 

[1] Department of Biology, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA; E-Mails:;U.S. Geological Survey, Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, 47914 252nd Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57198-0001, USA; E-Mails:;Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine–TH, Rm. 135 Holmstedt Hall, ISU, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA

关键词: amphibian;    reptile;    declines;    habitat loss;    prairie;   

DOI  :  10.3390/d1020118

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Coal extraction has been occurring in the Midwestern United States for over a century. Despite the pre-mining history of the landscape as woodlands, spent surface coalfields are often reclaimed to grasslands. We assessed amphibian and reptile species on a large tract of coal spoil prairie and found 13 species of amphibians (nine frog and four salamander species) and 19 species of reptiles (one lizard, five turtle, and 13 snake species). Two state-endangered and three state species of special concern were documented. The amphibian diversity at our study site was comparable to the diversity found at a large restored prairie situated 175 km north, within the historic prairie peninsula.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2009 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.