160 
J. Whitfield Gibbons and Julian R. Harrison III 
affected. 
The most severe impact to terrestrial reptiles and amphibians could 
come from removal of essential organic litter and ground cover in the 
forest systems. Land clearing or large scale removal of ground cover 
could eliminate some species and would completely alter the natural 
systems as they now exist. Removal of trees and other forest vegetation 
would also make the habitats less desirable for many species. However, 
some type of recreational development such as conservative trail con- 
struction or small picnic areas and campgrounds, should have minimal 
impact on these species. Plethodon glutinosus is a possible exception, 
since it is most common in the more elevated mesic forests, areas that are 
also the most suitable for picnic areas, campgrounds, and roads. Con- 
struction of paved roads will lead to an increase in the incidence of 
road-killed vertebrates. 
Because of the minimal presence of most species in the open beach, salt 
marsh, and dune habitats, changes in these areas will not have a major 
effect on the herpetofauna as a whole. However, particular species, such 
as Caretta caretta on the beach and Malaclemys terrapin in the marsh, 
could suffer unless ecological awareness prevails among those fostering 
development of these islands. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. — We are indebted to several individuals 
who assisted in various phases of field work, including installation of 
drift fences. In particular we thank Joe Schubauer, Judy Greene, Garfield 
Keaton, Dr. Jan Caldwell, Gary Moran, Brad Gammon, Dr. Bob Ald- 
ridge, Steve Bennett, Kent Brown, Lou Ann Brown, Dr. Rebecca Sharitz, 
Dave Bennett, Joe McAuliffe, Bob Parmenter, Ray Semlitsch, Vince 
DeMarco, Mike McMillan, Linda Whittlesy, Charles Haddock, and 
Albert Sanders for their contributions. We thank Robert Jeter and the 
Youth Conservation Corps group for providing transportation to Capers 
Island and other assistance; and Michael McKenzie and Robert Dunlap 
of the S. C. Wildlife and Marine Resources Department for maps and 
other information concerning Capers Island, and for use of facilities on 
that island. Tony Niemeyer permitted access and provided information 
about Kiawah Island. Ray Semlitsch, Rebecca Sharitz and Stephen H. 
Bennett critically read the original manuscript, which was also greatly 
improved by the comments of two anonymous reviewers. 
Support for parts of the research was provided by Contract DE-AC09- 
76SR00819 between the U. S. Department of Energy and the University 
of Georgia, by the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources 
Department, and by a National Science Foundation Grant (DEB- 
7904758) to J. W. Gibbons. 
