|
Home
Activities
Contact Us
Links
Newsletters
Project SAVE
Salamander Photo Gallery
Upcoming Events
|
Project SAVE
Project SAVE (Saving Amphibian Vital Environments) Curriculum
and Activity Guide Part 1: Salamanders of the Southeastern
United States is a supplemental environmental / conservation
education curriculum and activity guide emphasizing salamanders
and the effect of changes to the environment for grades 9-12.
During the last 200 years the health of all major environments
worldwide have suffered from the rapid expansion of the human
population. Salamanders (and amphibians in general) have been
compared to the proverbial "canary in a coal mine"
on a global scale. According to Dr. James W. Petranka, "In
particular, many North American amphibians have declined owing
to environmental alteration from timber harvesting, agriculture,
wetland drainage, urbanization, stream pollution and siltation,
and the introduction of exotic predators." In addition,
dams inundate huge expanses of habitat and alter flow in the
affected river. Scientists agree that populations of most
North American salamanders have declined markedly since European
colonization due to the above-mentioned changes to the continent.
Photo Gallery
| Ringed Salamander |
Green Salamander |
Yonahlossee Salamander |
Blackbelly Salamander |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Weller's Salamander |
Spotted Salamander |
Four-toed Salamander |
Mud Salamander |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Tiger Salamander |
Red Salamander |
Red-cheeked Salamander |
Marbled, Tiger and Spotted |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Salamanders are a diverse group, inhabiting many environments,
and are abundant in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Salamanders
play important roles in organizing many terrestrial and aquatic
communities. For example, larvae of mole salamanders are top
predators in vernal pond communities and influence the abundance
and diversity of aquatic invertebrates. Dusky salamanders
reach high densities and biomass in small streams that lack
fish, and in many ways perform ecological roles similar to
those of fish. Salamanders are the most abundant vertebrates
in many forest floor habitats and consume vast quantities
of insects and other invertebrates.
In the next century one of the greatest challenges for educators
will be to foster an ethic of stewardship in their students
for ecosystems and the diversity of life they sustain. Salamanders
are but one thread in the fabric of life on earth, but intricately
woven. Project SAVE Curriculum and Activity Guide Part1: Salamanders
of the Southeastern United States is an educational tool teachers
can share with their students that will increase their knowledge
and awareness of salamanders and the vital environments in
need of new approaches to stewardship.
|
