CASP: NC Calling Amphibian Survey Program
Contact - Jeff
Hall
Welcome to North Carolina’s CASP Webpage! What is CASP? |
|
|
How does CASP work?
CASP
consists of 3 non-random routes and 175 routes randomly placed throughout
the state of North Carolina (click here for map). Each route has 10
listening stops at least 0.5 mile apart in amphibian breeding areas (i.e.
wetlands, ponds, and streams). Volunteers adopt one of these routes then
drive it at least once during each sampling window, stopping to listen for
and record the calls of breeding frogs and toads. The three sampling windows
may vary each year due to longer or shorter seasonal weather patterns, but
they correspond with the major breeding times of frogs and toads in the
state. At each stop, volunteers listen for five minutes and write on
data sheets all the species of frogs and toads heard using an index
of abundance."
Why is CASP needed in NC?
The CASP survey data will contribute to information on the distribution
and relative abundance of frogs and toads in North Carolina over time. Our
NC data will also be pooled with data from other states to consider regional
and national trends in frog distribution and in changes in frog populations.
Understanding these trends will provide us a better understanding of the
status and health of our frog and toad populations, and will enable us to
protect critical habitats for our frog and toad species.
How do I become involved?
Anyone with an interest in the frogs and toads of NC and a willingness to
learn their calls and run 3 surveys a year can participate. To become involved:
Sign up by picking an available route (click here), contacting a state coordinator (jeff.g.hall@earthlink.net), and providing your contact information
You will receive an observer number that allows you to access the online database, download the stop descriptions on your route, and take the region specific quiz (http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/frogquiz/)
You will receive a volunteer packet (click here) with volunteer materials including datasheets, equipment list, protocol notes, route map, volunteer placard, law enforcement explanation letter, and NC frog and toad distribution maps
Conduct at least one survey of your route within each of the three sampling windows (in 2006: 1/15-2/28, 3/15-4/30, and 5/15-6/30)
Submit your data online (optional) www.pwrc.usgs.gov/NAAMP/Data/index.cfm and by mail no later than October 1st.
What could be more fun than listening to frogs and toads making whoopie
in the night?! Become a CASP volunteer today!
CASP Volunteer Page
View the National NAAMP website
View the protocol
Submit your CASP
survey data