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Importance of demographic surveys and public lands for the conservation of eastern hellbenders Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis in southeast USA
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Comparisons of recent and historic population demographic studies of eastern hellbenders Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis have identified significant population declines and extirpations associated with habitat degradation, poor water quality and disease, leading to nomination as a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. However, populations in the southern Appalachian region of the range have received less attention despite relatively high levels of watershed protection due to the establishment of federally protected National Forest and National Park public lands. These watersheds likely represent some of the best remaining available habitat, yet the lack of published studies make assessment of population stability and viability very difficult. Our objectives were to (1) conduct a capture-mark-recapture (CMR) demographic study and a point transect survey on the Hiwassee River in Tennessee which is designated a National Scenic River, and is largely contained within the Cherokee National Forest, (2) quantify the size structure of the population, (3) compare abundance, survival and recruitment with historic and contemporary hellbender populations across the range, (4) assess the importance of this population and the significance of National Forest and National Park lands in the context of hellbender population conservation in the southeastern United States. We detected all age classes present, with larval hellbenders comprising 21.5% of captures. Using a combination of static life table and CMR methods, we determined that survival rates during the first year were low (~10%), but were high (68–94%) for taggable sized hellbenders. Density of hellbenders at the study site was very high (84 taggable sized hellbenders per 100m of river) compared to recent demographic studies conducted in other regions of the range. We detected hellbenders over ~28 km of river, with a mean density of 23 taggable sized hellbenders per 100m of river, and a total population estimate of 6440 taggable hellbenders. National Forest and National Park lands are likely to continue to play a particularly important role in providing suitable habitat for hellbenders in the southern Appalachians. In fact, only six of 21 known hellbender locations in Tennessee appear to show consistent larval recruitment, all of which are located within or adjacent to National Forest or National Park land.
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Research
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Peer-reviewed Science
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Improving the Utility of Artificial Shelters for Monitoring Eastern Hellbender Salamanders (Cryptobranchus alleganienses alleganiensis)
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Artificial shelters show great promise as novel, non-invasive tools for studying
hellbenders, but their use thus far has faced several challenges. During initial trials in multiple
river networks, artificial shelters routinely became blocked by sediment and dislodged during
high stream discharge events, and were rarely used by hellbenders. We sought to determine
whether these complications could be overcome via alternative shelter design, placement, and
maintenance. Between 2013 and 2018, we deployed 438 artificial shelters of two different
designs across ten stream reaches and three rivers in the upper Tennessee River Basin. We
assessed evidence for several hypotheses, postulating broadly that the availability, stability, and
use of artificial shelters by hellbenders would depend on how shelters were constructed,
deployed, and/or maintained. We found that maintaining shelters at least once every 40 days
limited sediment blockage, and building ~ 40 kg shelters with 3-4 cm thick walls and recessed
lids improved their stability during high discharge events. Additionally, we found that
hellbenders most frequently occupied and nested in artificial shelters when they were deployed
in deeper (~50+ cm) portions of reaches with high adult hellbender densities. Our results suggest
that artificial shelters can serve as effective tools for studying hellbenders when designed,
deployed, and maintained with these advancements, but also highlight some limitations of their
use.
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Research
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Artificial Nest Box Research
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Introducing Habitat Restoration for Black Duck
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An intro video for landowners, farmers, and others to learn about ways to increase habitat for the American Black Duck in partnership with NRCS and the Delaware Conservation Partnership
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Information Materials
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Multimedia
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Job Sheets
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Resources
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NRCS Conservation Practices & Materials
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Eastern Hellbender NRCS Conservation Practices & Materials
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Landscape Partnership Learning Network
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Self-paced virtual tutorials and classes available for practitioners and producers/landowners. The Learning Network is designed to help conservation partners, managers, and landowners learn how to use and adapt resources and tools and plan on-the-ground conservation. Once courses are completed, users can work with Landscape Partnership staff directly to discuss how to incorporate these products in their own efforts.
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Online Training Resources
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Training Resources
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Learn All About Hellbenders and Take a Tour
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Do you know what a hellbender is or where they can be found? This live session will answer those questions for you, show you what they look like by taking you on a virtual tour, share where they live, what they like to eat and who their predators are.
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Online Training Resources
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Webinars and Videos
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Livestock as a Potential Biological Control Agent for an Invasive Wetland Plant
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Research
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Peer-reviewed Science
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Looking to increase waterfowl, wildlife habitat? (Keeping the Farm)
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Short article in The Delmarva Farmer about the Working Lands for Wildlife Program's work on American Black Duck in Delaware
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Information Materials
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Published materials
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Map of Priority Areas for WLFW-Black Duck Projects
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Map used by the NRCS WLFW-Black duck partnership to denote priority areas for landowner sign-ups in NJ, DE, MD, and VA. This map is based on larger geographic priorities modeled by the Black Duck Joint Venture and Atlantic Coast Joint Venture partnerships for targeting Black duck recovery in the Atlantic Flyway.
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Maps
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Maps
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Information Materials
