The Science Seminar Series: Novemeber 13, 2008

Rare and Endangered Herpetofauna of Georgia.

John B. Jensen, Senior Wildlife Biologist

Nongame Conservation Section

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Place: Powell Hall
Time: 4:00 -5:00pm

Abstract:

Georgia is home to 170 described species of hereptofauna, evenly represented by 85 amphibians and 85 reptiles. Unfortunately, the state population status of 61 of those species finds them deserving of special protection or conservation concern. Georgia’s rare “herps” are variously classified as federally or state “endangered” or “threatened,” “rare,” “unusual,” or “species of concern,” based on their relative rarity and the threats each face. While habitat loss and alteration is by far the greatest threat to all of our wildlife, unsustainable use, disease, introduced invasive species, environmental pollution, malicious killing, and even global climate change also imperil many amphibians and reptiles. These threat topics will be discussed with examples of each, and conservation actions intended to thwart declines will also be presented.
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