The Southeast United States contains approximately half of the reptile and amphibian species found in North America (Conant and Collins, 1991; Gibbons, 1993; Stebbins, 1966). Because reptiles and amphibians compose a large portion of the biodiversity in almost every habitat in the Southeastern United States, the status of the herpetofauna will likely reveal the status of the habitat. Reptiles and amphibians are often referred to as good bioindicators because they are very sensitive to changes in the environment (Gibbons, 1988).
Reptiles and amphibians have been declining in the past ten years for reasons which biologists are not able to fully determine. However, the most likely reason for the decline in herpetofauna is habitat destruction. Land management is the key to protecting habitat, and therefore a survey of the biodiversity in a habitat is the essential first step in effective land management. Recently, five landholders have combined their property to make an easement area of seven hundred acres in the region of Ramah Creek, Huntersville, NC for the protection of biodiversity. The purpose of the proposed project is to document the biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians on the Ramah Creek Conservation Easement Area.

Survey Techniques
Because of the diversity expected to be encountered at Ramah Creek, numerous survey techniques must be used to sample the amphibians and reptiles. A simple process of field collecting will start off the survey. Walking through the field and turning over potential cover objects such as logs and rocks will give a basic idea as to what herpetofauna are in Ramah Creek. Coverboards, which are 2x4 foot pieces of plywood or roofing tin, will be placed in a set pattern throughout the site. Coverboards are useful because they are non-destructive and non-disruptive to the animals. Minnow traps will be used to capture aquatic species such as tadpoles and salamander larvae. Turtle traps will be used to capture larger aquatic species such as turtles and salamanders. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units will be used to document the exact location of each individual animal in the field.

Expected Results
The following will be provided as documentation of biodiversity of reptiles and amphibians on Ramah Creek:

1. A list of reptiles and amphibians that could potentially occur on Ramah Creek.
2. A list of reptile and amphibian species found on Ramah Creek.
3. Exact locality, number of individuals, and habitat associations for each observation. Global Positioning System will be used to give a very accurate location for each individual.
4. Photographs of selected species and habitats.

One major purpose of this survey is to investigate two undocumented cases of timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in the area. If timber rattlesnakes were found, the location would be a new record for this region of North Carolina. It is important to note that I will not be handling a timber rattlesnake or any other venomous snake (such as copperheads) which I may find; I will merely be recording their location.
Literature Cited
Conant, R. and J. Collins. 1991. Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern/Central North America. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
Gibbons, W. 1993. Reptile and Amphibian Study. Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge Series. Irving, TX.
Gibbons, W. 1988. The Management of amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals in North America: the need for an environmental attitude adjustment. Proc. Symp.; manag. Of Amphib., Rept., and Small Mammals in N. Am. 19-21 July, 1988., Flagstaff, Arizona. P4-10 US Dept. Of Agric., Forest Service, Rocky Mountain For. and Range Exper. Stat., Fort Collins, CO 80526, General Technical Report R~I-166
Stebbins, R. 1966. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.

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