Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | G | Georgia Journal of Science

Issues facing Georgia's reptiles and amphibians and recommendations for new policies.

Article Excerpt
ABSTRACT

Georgia is home to an abundance of reptile and amphibian species. There are very few laws protecting the two taxa from competition and predation by exotic species, habitat loss and fragmentation, unregulated harvest and collection for the food and pet trades. Limited life and natural history information is another reason for species declines. The existing laws protecting herpetofauna in the state of Georgia are not enforced and are open to broad interpretation. Special interest groups such as Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) and others lobby for laws to protect native reptiles and amphibians from leading factors of decline, but more funding must be allocated towards conservation of herpetofauna. Educational programs must be developed and utilized to teach the public about reptile and amphibian declines and conservation. Habitat accrual and proper management are important for preservation of native herpetofauna. Research on laws and recommendations is essential for conservation and protection.

Keywords: herpetofauna, habitat fragmentation, unregulated harvest, isolated wetland, Clean Water Act Section 404, BIO-SAFE, ecotype, equity, efficiency

**********

The southeastern United States has the highest reptile and amphibian biodiversity in the country. Georgia is home to 41 species of snakes, 28 species of turtles, 15 species of lizards (2 of which are not native), 1 species of crocodilian, and 1 species of amphisbaenid--a rare and fossorial reptile also known as a worm lizard. The state boasts even greater amphibian diversity with 54 species of salamanders and 31 species of frogs and toads (1 species of frog is not native). The salamander diversity in the southeastern US is the greatest in the world and is certainly something to be valued and protected. The great amounts of diversity are attributed to the varied geographic regions throughout the state (Gibbons and Jensen 2004). Georgia is composed of unique geography including the Blue Ridge Escarpment of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Ridge and Valley limestone regions, sandhills, Okefenokee Swamp, barrier islands and other coastal land, and an abundance of other distinct habitats (netstate.com n.d.).

Many of Georgia's reptile and amphibian populations are being threatened daily by issues such as competition and predation by exotic species, habitat loss and fragmentation, unregulated harvest and collection for the food and pet trades, and limited life and natural history information about many of the species. However, it is not only Georgia herpetofauna that is imperiled; this is a worldwide issue that must be confronted and resolved (Cheater n.d.). Laws regarding each of these issues must be developed and enforced to ensure the survival of Georgia herpetofauna.

The introduction of non-native species is a serious problem. Currently, Georgia has no statutes and regulations regarding the introduction of non-native species of reptiles and amphibians (J. Jensen, pers. comm. 2006). Exotic species sometimes outcompete native species and cause declines in native populations (Magalheas et al. 2005). Some species are accidentally introduced by industries such as...

View this article FREE - Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News
Free for 3 Days!