A paradigm for information needed to protect at-risk species: northern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus) in the pine barrens as a case study

ABSTRACT

New methods of examining the risk to endangered, threatened and rare species are required to identify vulnerability. A paradigm for examining risk is presented that describes anthropogenic threats, species activities, and vulnerabilities, and uses Northern pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) in the New Jersey Pine Barrens as a case study. The paradigm includes (1) conceptual model of natural, anthropogenic, and interactive stressors, (2) template of the functional attributes of threats from human activities, and (3) template of effects from different human activities. Pine snake behavior throughout the year was used to examine the temporal overlap in high snake vulnerability periods and desired human activities in a shared habitat. New data on autumn behavior of pine snakes are also provided. Passive integrated transponders (PIT tag) tracking technology indicated that the fall basking activity period is both longer in duration, and at a higher intensity than previously presumed. During the autumn, individual snakes moved in and out of dens an average of 6 times over a two-month period. Younger snakes at a small hibernaculum were more active than those at hibernacula with larger and older snakes. The high activity period of pine snakes overlaps with the timing of preferred off-road-vehicle (ORV) use, controlled burns, and other human activities, increasing snake vulnerability, potentially causing behavioral disruptions, injury, and death. The conceptual model illustrating relationships between attributes of human activity and effects may be utilized to determine risks to other listed species, and those of special concern in different habitats. This paradigm also provides managers with template tools to assess risks to species that may also be used to provide information to the public.

KEYWORDS:

• Competing claims
• species protection
• pine snake
• fall hibernation activity
• snake
• fire: off-road-vehicles
• management
• forestry

Acknowledgments

This study was partly supported by Rutgers University, the Tiko Fund, Herpetological Associates, Inc., and the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. The project and protocol were approved by the Rutgers Institutional Animal Care Committee (E6-017), and permits were obtained from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife (Endangered and Nongame Species Program). Thanks are extended to several people who provided help with the pine snake research, including Kris Schantz, David Jenkins and Dave Golden of the Endangered and Nongame Species Program, the Division of Parks and Forestry of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Cynthia Coritz), and The Nature Conservancy. Over the years, many of Rutgers University ecology graduate students and personnel of Herpetological Associates have assisted in these studies. I particularly thank Matt McCort, David Schneider, Mike Torocco, Dave Burkett, Ryan Fitzgerald, and Taryn Pittfield. The welfare of the Pine snakes always came first in our considerations.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the The Tiko Fund;The New Jersey Conservation Foundation;Rutgers University;Herpetological Associates.