Natural History
The Importance of Natural History Collections
Specimen collections serve as powerful tools that facilitate our understanding of taxonomy, biodiversity, evolution, and even anthropogenic impacts both locally and globally.
Specifically, reptile and amphibian surveys/monitoring play a crucial role in habitat management, because these taxonomic groups are generally considered to be indicator species due to their sensitivity in responding to changes and variability in the environment.
Documenting the the presence or absence of certain species in specific areas and times provide basis for historical records in which we can then more accurately follow geographic and temporal shifts in species communities and distributional ranges.
PhD student Neil Balchan holding a county record bullfrog in the state of Oklahoma (Lithobates catesbeianus).
