Relationships among Isolated Wetland Size, Hydroperiod, and Amphibian Species Richness: Implications for Wetland Regulations

Here, we examine the effects of adjacent land use in a managed forest on pond-breeding amphibian species richness and community composition at 34 New Brunswick, Canada, ponds. Amphibian species richness was negatively correlated with the proportion of roads, precommercial thinning, and hardwood forest and positively correlated with the proportion of wetlands in adjacent lands. These land-use effects peak at 180 m from the ponds. Road density was negatively correlated with Lithobates catesbeiana and Lithobates septentrionalis presence. Precommercial thinning was negatively correlated with Ambystoma spp. presence and positively correlated with Anaxyrus americanus presence. Wetlands were positively correlated with L. septentrionalis and Notopthalamus viridescens presence. Correlations were also found between water table height and A. americanus, Lithobates palustris , and Ambystoma spp. presence. In addition, L. catesbeiana and N. viridescens presence–absence was positively correlated with the proportion of mature and overmature forest on the landscape (at scales of 500 and 1000 m, respectively). Lastly, the proportion of regenerating and sapling forest on the landscape was negatively correlated with L. palustris presence–absence but, by contrast, was positively correlated with A. americanus. These results suggest that the effects of adjacent land use may significantly impact amphibian populations in managed eastern Canadian forests.

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The amphibians of São Paulo State, Brazil amphibians of São Paulo

Biota Neotropica ◽

10.1590/s1676-06032009000400020 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 197-209 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Olívia Gabriela dos Santos Araújo ◽

Luís Felipe Toledo ◽

Paulo Christiano Anchietta Garcia ◽

Célio Fernando Baptista Haddad

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Sao Paulo ◽

The State ◽

São Paulo ◽

Future Prospects ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Paulo State ◽

São Paulo State

The State of São Paulo is one of the most studied regions of Brazil in regard to amphibian species richness and distribution. However, we still do not have a list of species for the State. Therefore, we present here a list including 231 species of amphibians (225 anurans and six caecilians), of which 27 are endemic. We present data about previous and current taxonomists and speculate about future prospects in the study and conservation of amphibian biodiversity in São Paulo State.

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Amphibians in an urban environment: a case study from a central European city (Wrocław, Poland)

Urban Ecosystems ◽

10.1007/s11252-019-00912-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 235-243

Author(s):

Agnieszka Konowalik ◽

Anna Najbar ◽

Kamil Konowalik ◽

Łukasz Dylewski ◽

Marzena Frydlewicz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Rana Temporaria ◽

Bufo Bufo ◽

High Ratio ◽

Rana Arvalis ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Triturus Cristatus ◽

Lissotriton Vulgaris ◽

Hyla Arborea ◽

The City

AbstractIn 2016, we studied the occurrence of amphibians in 231 selected ponds in the city of Wrocław (Lower Silesia, Poland) and confirmed the occurrence of 10 species: Bombina bombina, Bufo bufo, Bufotes viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Pelophylax esculentus complex, Rana arvalis, Rana temporaria, Lissotriton vulgaris and Triturus cristatus. Among all studied sites, the most common were P. esculentus complex (146 occupied sites, 63.2%) and B. bufo (119, 51.5%), while the rarest was P. fuscus (8, 3.5%). The number of species at a single site varied from 0 (28 sites, 12.1%) to 9 (1 site, 0.4%). Frequency and mean amphibian species richness reached 87.9% and 2.7 ± 1.9, respectively. The composition of amphibian species did not change in comparison to previous studies conducted in the years 1997–2009, but declining trends in five species (B. bombina, B. viridis, H. arborea, P. esculentus complex, P. fuscus) were observed (28 compared sites). The results revealed that the permanency of ponds, their occurrence in the vicinity of river valleys, and a high ratio of watercourse length and green area around ponds are positively correlated and have a significant influence on amphibian species richness within the city. Thus, these identified factors should be considered in the course of sustainable urban planning in order to avoid potential conflicts between nature conservation and urban development.

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Amphibian species richness patterns in karst regions in Southwest China and its environmental associations

Biodiversity Science ◽

10.17520/biods.2018125 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (9) ◽

pp. 941-950

Author(s):

Bo Wang ◽

◽

Yong Huang ◽

Jiatang Li ◽

Qiang Dai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Southwest China ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Richness Patterns

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Diversity of herpetofauna at restored cranberry bogs: A comparative survey of herpetofaunal diversity at a restored wetland in comparison to a retired cranberry bog to assess the restoration success

Herpetological Journal ◽

10.33256/32.1.1426 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 14-26

Author(s):

Regina A. Christen

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Relative Abundance ◽

Survey Methods ◽

Recovery Phase ◽

Global Scale ◽

Early Recovery ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Geographic Ranges ◽

Restoration Success ◽

Conservation Concern

Wetlands perform critical ecological functions and provide wildlife habitats. Yet, wetland degradation continues at a global scale. In Massachusetts, USA, wetland restoration has reached remarkable heights, partly promoted by the retirement of cranberry bogs. In this study, to assess the effectiveness of cranberry-farm restoration for conservation of native herpetofauna, we surveyed both retired and restored cranberry bogs in south-eastern Massachusetts. Using both visual encounter surveys and baited aquatic traps, we documented herpetofaunal species and their relative abundance. Both survey methods combined, the cumulative herpetofaunal species richness at the restored bogs (16) exceeded that of the retired bogs (11). Our trap surveys indicated that the amphibian species richness at the retired bog was significantly greater than that of the restored bog. In contrast, reptilian species richness as well as the relative abundance of both amphibians and reptiles were significantly greater at the restored bog compared to the retired bog. Subsequent analyses we performed identified that greater habitat heterogeneity emerging from active restoration intervention was the underlying driver of elevated richness and abundance. Most frequently encountered herpetofauna at the restored versus retired bogs were habitat generalists with broader geographic ranges and are not of conservation concern. Our findings suggest that the restored bog we monitored is still in the early-recovery phase after active intervention. We urge the need for long-term herpetofaunal inventories via systematic, standard surveys to assess restoration success.

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Biodiversity of trematodes associated with amphibians from a variety of habitats in Corrientes Province, Argentina

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x12000302 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 87 (3) ◽

pp. 286-300 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M.I. Hamann ◽

A.I. Kehr ◽

C.E. González

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Foraging Strategy ◽

Common Species ◽

Trematode Species ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Ecological Relationships ◽

Parasite Communities ◽

Terrestrial Environments ◽

Generalist Diet

AbstractThe main goals of this study were to compare the richness of parasitic trematodes in amphibians with diverse habits (terrestrial, fossorial, semi-aquatic and arboreal), and to evaluate whether the composition of the trematode community is determined by ecological relationships. Specimens were collected between April 2001 and December 2006 from a common area (30 ha) in Corrientes Province, Argentina. Trematodes of amphibians in this area comprised a total of 19 species, and were dominated by common species. Larval trematodes presented highest species richness, with the metacercaria ofBursotrema tetracotyloidesbeing dominant in the majority (7/9, 78%) of the parasite communities. Adults of the trematodeCatadiscus inopinatuswere dominant in the majority (6/9, 67%) of amphibians. The amphibiansLeptodactylus latinasus,Leptodactylus bufoniusandScinax nasicuspresented a high diversity of trematodes, whereasLeptodactylus chaquensishad the lowest diversity even though it presented with the highest species richness. The patterns of similarity among amphibian species showed groups linking with their habitats. Leptodactilid amphibians, with a generalist diet and an active foraging strategy showed highest infection rates with adult trematodes. The mean richness of trematode species related to host's habitat preferences was higher in semi-aquatic amphibians. Results suggest that semi-aquatic amphibians, present in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, present a greater diversity of parasites as they have a higher rate of exposure to a wider range of prey species and, hence, to diverse infective states. The trematode composition is related to the diets and mobility of the host, and habitat.

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The effects of predatory fish on amphibian species richness and distribution

Biological Conservation ◽

10.1016/s0006-3207(96)00113-9 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 79 (2-3) ◽

pp. 123-131 ◽

Cited By ~ 155

Author(s):

Stephen J. Hecnar ◽

Robert T. M'Closkey

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Predatory Fish ◽

Amphibian Species

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Habitat Relationships of the Herpetofauna of Remnant Buloke Woodlands of the Wimmera Plains, Victoria.

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9960363 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 363 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

SA Hadden ◽

ME Westbrooke

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Significant Relationship ◽

Soil Type ◽

Grazing Pressure ◽

Pitfall Trapping ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Habitat Features ◽

Site Characteristics ◽

Reptile Species

Twelve remnants of woodland dominated by buloke (Allocasuarina leuhmannii [A. luehmannii]) in the Wimmera Plains of Victoria, Australia, were investigated to evaluate the habitat relationships of the herpetofauna. Reptiles and amphibians were assessed by pitfall trapping, systematic searching and recording of frog vocalisations. Site characteristics that are likely to affect the species richness of herpetofauna in buloke remnants were determined. Nine reptile and 4 amphibian species were recorded from 6048 trap-nights and 216 h of systematic searching. A significant relationship was found between the herpetofaunal and reptile species richness and the level of past grazing pressure and vegetation understorey structure. No correlation was found between herpetofaunal species richness and the area of the remnant. Species richness of amphibians was best predicted by soil type. Habitat features associated with each species are presented. Implications for the management of remnant buloke woodlands and their herpetofauna are discussed and recommendations made.

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The effects of adjacent land use on wetland amphibian species richness and community composition

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f03-095 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 60 (9) ◽

pp. 1078-1094 ◽

Cited By ~ 162

Author(s):

Jeff E Houlahan ◽

C Scott Findlay

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Land Use ◽

Species Richness ◽

Community Composition ◽

Large Scale ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Amphibian Declines ◽

Habitat Destruction ◽

Road Density ◽

Amphibian Species

Habitat destruction and fragmentation have been identified as possible causes of large-scale amphibian declines. Here, we examine the effects of adjacent land use and water quality on wetland amphibian species richness, abundance, and community composition in 74 Ontario wetlands. Species richness was positively correlated with wetland area, forest cover, and the amount of wetlands on adjacent lands and negatively correlated with road density and nitrogen levels. The land-use effects peak at 20003000 m. Amphibian abundance was positively correlated with forest cover, distance to wetlands >20 ha, and amount of marsh habitat and negatively correlated with road density. The effects of adjacent land use were strongest at around 200 m. Land-use and water quality effects varied widely across species, although most species are positively correlated with forest cover and amount of wetlands on adjacent lands and negatively correlated with road density and water quality. These results suggest that the effects of adjacent land use on amphibian communities can extend over comparatively large distances. As such, effective wetland conservation will not be achieved merely through the creation of narrow buffer zones between wetlands and intensive land uses, but rather will require maintaining a heterogeneous regional landscape containing relatively large areas of natural forest and wetlands.

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