Building Better Wetlands for Amphibians
Building Better Wetlands for Amphibians

Author: Christopher D. Shulse

Publisher:

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 165

ISBN-13:

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Compensatory wetland mitigation efforts have been broadly criticized for failing to replace lost ecological functions, even with net gains in wetland area. Of particular concern is the suitability of constructed wetlands as habitat for vulnerable taxa such as amphibians. Habitat loss and alteration are primary reasons for amphibian declines so it is imperative that constructed wetlands significantly contribute to amphibian conservation. I surveyed amphibians in 49 constructed northern Missouri wetlands to investigate influences of wetland design and placement features on amphibian abundance. Features associated with open water ponds best explained abundances of commonly captured species. Salamanders and most hylid frogs were rarely captured and responded positively to aquatic vegetation, but negatively to fish and anthropogenic disturbance-related terrestrial habitat features. I also tested design feature and mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) effects on amphibian communities in 18 experimental constructed wetlands. Mosquitofish reduced amphibian reproductive success and species richness, and they were a significant cause of ranid tadpole tail injuries. Further, mosquitofish reduced aquatic invertebrate abundance and taxa richness. Vegetation and shallow within-wetland slopes also bolstered abundances of some amphibians, and vegetation increased amphibian and invertebrate richness.Fish-free, heavily vegetated, shallow-sloped wetlands, placed in landscapes with low anthropogenic disturbance, appear to provide the best habitat for conservative amphibian species.

Constructing Ephemeral Wetlands for Amphibians in the Pacific Southwest
Constructing Ephemeral Wetlands for Amphibians in the Pacific Southwest

Author: Kathlyn Diana Franco

Publisher:

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 58

ISBN-13: 9780438070219

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Over 90% of California's wetlands have been destroyed or modified. Habitat loss due to activities like the removal of wetlands is one of the main reasons for amphibian population decline. Amphibian extinction rates are 211 times higher than the background extinction rate and to help amphibian populations rebound, I am learning how to construct wetland habitats. My internship is a collaboration between the environmental nonprofit SAVE THE FROGS! and wetland construction expert Tom Biebighauser. My main objective is to complete my wetland apprenticeship such that I have the skills required to independently design, coordinate and implement large wetland restoration projects throughout the Pacific Southwest. From June 2017 to October 2017, I constructed 12 wetlands and designed 18 research wetlands for endangered amphibian species. Three of these wetlands were created at Plumas National Forest (Quincy, CA), three at National Audubon Society's Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch (Elgin, AZ), one at Garvey Intermediate School (Rosemead, CA), and I designed 18 and independently constructed five research wetlands at Fort Ord National Monument (Monterey, CA). Constructing these wetlands has given me a deeper understanding of wetland construction and design as well as the confidence to independently build wetlands for amphibian and wildlife.

The Humane Gardener
The Humane Gardener

Author: Nancy Lawson

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Published: 2017-04-18

Total Pages: 226

ISBN-13: 1616896175

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In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.

Species-specific Responses to Wetland Mitigation Among Amphibians in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Species-specific Responses to Wetland Mitigation Among Amphibians in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Author: Leah K. Swartz

Publisher:

Published: 2019

Total Pages: 36

ISBN-13:

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Habitat loss and degradation are leading causes of biodiversity declines, therefore assessing the capacity of created mitigation wetlands to replace habitat for wildlife has become a management priority. We used single season occupancy models to compare occurrence of larvae of four species of pond-breeding amphibians in wetlands created for mitigation, wetlands impacted by road construction, and unimpacted reference wetlands along a highway corridor in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, U.S.A. Created wetlands were shallow and had less aquatic vegetation and surface area than impacted and reference wetlands. Occupancy of barred tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium) and boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) larvae was similar across wetland types, whereas boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas) occurred more often in created wetlands than reference and impacted wetlands. However, the majority of created wetlands (> 80%) dried partially or completely before amphibian metamorphosis occurred in both years of our study, resulting in heavy mortality of larvae and, we suspect, little to no recruitment. Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris), which require emergent vegetation that is not common in newlycreated wetlands, occurred commonly in impacted and reference wetlands but were found in only one created wetland. Our results show that shallow created wetlands with little aquatic vegetation may be attractive breeding areas for some amphibians, but may result in high mortality and little recruitment if they fail to hold water for the entire larval period.

Compensating for Wetland Losses Under the Clean Water Act
Compensating for Wetland Losses Under the Clean Water Act

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2001-11-06

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 0309133025

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Recognizing the importance of wetland protection, the Bush administration in 1988 endorsed the goal of "no net loss" of wetlands. Specifically, it directed that filling of wetlands should be avoided, and minimized when it cannot be avoided. When filling is permitted, compensatory mitigation must be undertaken; that is, wetlands must be restored, created, enhanced, and, in exceptional cases, preserved, to replace the permitted loss of wetland area and function, such as water quality improvement within the watershed. After more than a dozen years, the national commitment to "no net loss" of wetlands has been evaluated. This new book explores the adequacy of science and technology for replacing wetland function and the effectiveness of the federal program of compensatory mitigation in accomplishing the nation's goal of clean water. It examines the regulatory framework for permitting wetland filling and requiring mitigation, compares the mitigation institutions that are in use, and addresses the problems that agencies face in ensuring sustainability of mitigated wetlands over the long term. Gleaning lessons from the mixed results of mitigation efforts to date, the book offers 10 practical guidelines for establishing and monitoring mitigated wetlands. It also recommends that federal, state, and local agencies undertake specific institutional reforms. This book will be important to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of the "no net loss" issue: policy makers, regulators, environmental scientists, educators, and wetland advocates.

Amphibian Community Compostion in Man-made and Natural Wetlands in the Ouachita National Forest of Oklahoma
Amphibian Community Compostion in Man-made and Natural Wetlands in the Ouachita National Forest of Oklahoma

Author: Brenton Jarrod Fetting

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 74

ISBN-13:

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Amphibian populations have been declining for decades, and habitat alteration is one of the most influential factors leading to declines. Created wetlands can often compensate for loss of natural habitat, but little is known about amphibian population or community level responses to habitat alteration at the landscape scale. Further, they are usually constructed without knowledge of species habitat preferences. In the Ouachita National Forest of southeast Oklahoma, USA, the US Forest Service creates wetlands to promote amphibian abundance and reproductive success, but the amphibian community composition of these wetlands, and the natural wetlands in the region, are unknown. Therefore, the amphibian community composition of man-made and natural wetlands in the Ouachita National Forest, and habitat associations of amphibians in the region, were determined. Wetlands were sampled during May, June, and July of 2012 (Le Flore County) and 2013 (McCurtain County), using seining/dip netting, nighttime call surveys, and perimeter transects. Habitat variables were measured at each wetland and compared between wetland types, and species-environment relationships were analyzed using canonical correspondence analysis. Man-made wetlands had greater amphibian species richness compared to natural wetlands, and most species occurred more frequently in man-made wetlands than in natural wetlands in both counties. Amphibian species richness differed between sampling periods and wetland types in both counties, but the presence of fish did not affect species richness in man-made or natural wetlands in either county. Man-made wetlands were deeper and held water longer, but had greater open canopy and warmer water temperature compared to natural wetlands. Canopy cover and substrate were consistently the most important habitat variables influencing amphibian abundance and community structure. Man-made wetlands provide habitat for amphibians in the Ouachita National Forest, and positively impact amphibian diversity and persistence in southeast Oklahoma. Wetlands constructed in the Ouachita National Forest provide a framework for wetland construction for amphibians. Wetlands constructed for amphibians should be small but deep, have upland left intact, have vegetation planted if needed, and should be placed in the landscape appropriately to promote the persistence of multiple amphibian species.

Wetland Techniques
Wetland Techniques

Author: James T. Anderson

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-10-10

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 9400769075

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Wetlands serve many important functions and provide numerous ecological services such as clean water, wildlife habitat, nutrient reduction, and flood control. Wetland science is a relatively young discipline but is a rapidly growing field due to an enhanced understanding of the importance of wetlands and the numerous laws and policies that have been developed to protect these areas. This growth is demonstrated by the creation and growth of the Society of Wetland Scientists which was formed in 1980 and now has a membership of 3,500 people. It is also illustrated by the existence of 2 journals (Wetlands and Wetlands Ecology and Management) devoted entirely to wetlands. To date there has been no practical, comprehensive techniques book centered on wetlands, and written for wetland researchers, students, and managers. This techniques book aims to fill that gap. It is designed to provide an overview of the various methods that have been used or developed by researchers and practitioners to study, monitor, manage, or create wetlands. Including many methods usually found only in the peer-reviewed or gray literature, this 3-volume set fills a major niche for all professionals dealing with wetlands.