Influences of Temperature and Rainfall on Relative the Abundances of Amphibians and Reptiles in a California Oak Woodland

Autumn Valentine, Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration

Chris Evelyn, Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration

Climate change is predicted to have major influences on temperature and rainfall intensities and patterns. Being small ectotherms, the activity patterns of amphibians and reptiles (collectively herpetofauna) are closely tied to these weather conditions. For example, the timing and duration of weather influences basic life-history behaviors, such as feeding and reproduction. Understanding the relationships between weather events and amphibian and reptile activity patterns under the current climate regime is necessary to predict responses under projected future weather events and patterns. We address this issue by analyzing a dataset of winter and spring surface activity by herpetofauna in a blue oak (Quercus dougglassi) and coast live oak (Q. Agrifolia) woodland in coastal-central California. During January to May, 1995 to 2002, we recorded nearly 9,000 herpetofauna observations by use of 136 plywood coverboards systematically placed within each of eight 5.7-ha study plots. Species-specific activity was modeled as a response to the ambient temperature and the amount rainfall that occurred during the five days prior to the observation. Information from our study can be used to inform resource agencies and conservation organizations when setting management priorities.