Abundance and reproduction of toads (Bufo) along a regulated river in the southwestern United States: Importance of flooding in riparian ecosystems

Bateman, Heather L.; Harner, Mary J.; Chung-MacCoubrey, Alice

doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2008.03.009

Cited by 20 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In contrast, toads ( Bufo spp.) appear to respond more strongly to hydrologic variables as groundwater elevation than they do to the removal of non‐native plants (Bateman et al in press).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Non‐Native Plant Removal on Lizards in Riparian Habitats in the Southwestern United States

Bateman

Chung-MacCoubrey

Snell³

2008

Restoration Ecology

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Many natural processes in the riparian cottonwood (Populus deltoides) forest of the Middle Rio Grande (MRG) in the southwestern United States have been disrupted or altered, allowing non-native plants such as saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) to establish. We investigated reptilian responses to restoration efforts by sampling communities of lizards at 12 study sites invaded by non-native plants along the MRG in New Mexico for 7 years (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006). Sites within three regions were randomly assigned to one of the three treatments to remove non-native plants and woody debris, or as untreated controls. We used pitfall and funnel traps to capture, mark, and release lizards from June to September. Principal components analysis of 15 vegetation variables identified five factors that best explained variation among sites before and after removal of non-native plants. Relative abundances for four of six common species of lizards were associated with vegetation characteristics that significantly changed after plant removal. Species were either positively associated with the more open, park-like understory found in treated sites or negatively associated with debris heaps and thickets of non-native plants found in untreated sites. Eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus consobrinus) and New Mexico whiptails (Aspidoscelis neomexicana) increased in relative abundance after nonnative plants were removed. Overall, removal of nonnative plants seems beneficial, or at least is non-damaging, to lizard communities of the MRG forest. Providing information on habitat associations of lizard communities will help land managers balance management objectives with other considerations, such as providing important wildlife habitat.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Non‐Native Plant Removal on Lizards in Riparian Habitats in the Southwestern United States

Bateman

Chung-MacCoubrey

Snell³

2008

Restoration Ecology

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“…Post-flood diversification of habitats can offset high direct mortality, and many taxa may actually benefit from flooding (Bennetts et al 2002;Ballinger et al 2005;Lada et al 2007). Vertebrates associated with aquatic and riparian habitats are usually resistant to river discharge and inundation, as confirmed by studies on beavers (Breck et al 2001), birds (Poiani 2006), amphibians (Bateman et al 2008) or fish (Humphries et al 1999;Franssen et al 2006). In contrast, severe losses can be expected in terrestrial animals in flooded areas.…”

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confidence: 85%

Mortality of game mammals caused by an extreme flooding event in south-western Poland

Wuczyński

Jakubiec

2013

Nat Hazards

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We examine mortality in five terrestrial species of game animals resulting from an extreme flood event in Central Europe in July 1997. We present species-specific mortality rates and collate them with local abundances to show the susceptibilities of the different species to flood mortality. We also compare mortality rates in areas inundated by the main river and by its tributaries. Data were collected in the catchment area of the Odra River, south-western Poland. Mortality was estimated by surveying for drowned animals in flooded areas of 50 hunting districts (2,876 km 2 ). Total mortality amounted to 3,613 individuals, mostly of roe deer Capreolus capreolus and brown hare Lepus europaeus. Relative to estimates of abundance, mortality was disproportionately high in hares. Drownings of roe deer and wild boar, Sus scrofa were proportional to local abundance. Young individuals were particularly affected. Mortality was low in foxes, Vulpes vulpes, and red deer, Cervus elaphus. The mortality rate increased with the proportion of area flooded and the duration of flooding and was four times higher along the Odra River than along its tributaries. Our data specify, for the first time, direct losses in wild, large animals in response to an extreme flood event. Despite high overall losses, negative long-term effects on populations seemed unlikely. Nevertheless, to lessen the impact, river management focused primarily on human safety should also integrate the needs of wildlife.

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“…Linking stream flow, groundwater, vegetation structure, and riparian bird community composition through the development of a habitat index (bird habitat index, hereafter BHI or index) has not been explicitly described. Our approach builds upon indices of habitat heterogeneity developed by others (Wiens 1974, Freemark andMerriam 1986) and expands recent research linking hydrology to terrestrial wildlife (Bateman et al 2008, Brand et al 2010, 2011. Our model relates riparian habitats to hydrology, namely stream flow and groundwater levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Linking stream flow and groundwater to avian habitat in a desert riparian system

Merritt

Bateman

2012

Ecological Applications

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Increasing human populations have resulted in aggressive water development in arid regions. This development typically results in altered stream flow regimes, reduced annual flow volumes, changes in fluvial disturbance regimes, changes in groundwater levels, and subsequent shifts in ecological patterns and processes. Balancing human demands for water with environmental requirements to maintain functioning ecosystems requires quantitative linkages between water in streams and ecosystem attributes. Streams in the Sonoran Desert provide important habitat for vertebrate species, including resident and migratory birds. Habitat structure, food, and nest‐building materials, which are concentrated in riparian areas, are provided directly or indirectly by vegetation. We measured riparian vegetation, groundwater and surface water, habitat structure, and bird occurrence along Cherry Creek, a perennial tributary of the Salt River in central Arizona, USA. The purpose of this work was to develop an integrated model of groundwater–vegetation–habitat structure and bird occurrence by: (1) characterizing structural and provisioning attributes of riparian vegetation through developing a bird habitat index (BHI), (2) validating the utility of our BHI through relating it to measured bird community composition, (3) determining the riparian plant species that best explain the variability in BHI, (4) developing predictive models that link important riparian species to fluvial disturbance and groundwater availability along an arid‐land stream, and (5) simulating the effects of changes in flow regime and groundwater levels and determining their consequences for riparian bird communities. Riparian forest and shrubland vegetation cover types were correctly classified in 83% of observations as a function of fluvial disturbance and depth to water table. Groundwater decline and decreased magnitude of fluvial disturbance caused significant shifts in riparian cover types from riparian forest to shrublands. Variability in the BHI was best explained by the cover of deciduous riparian tree species, primarily Populus fremontii, Platanus wrightii, and Salix gooddingii. The distributions of these plant species were well explained by the depth to groundwater and magnitude of fluvial disturbance along the stream. Bird species diversity and richness were significantly higher in sites with higher habitat indices. This quantitative linkage between surface and groundwater, plant species composition, habitat complexity, and bird communities has implications for water management and in determining environmental flows.

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Abundance and reproduction of toads (Bufo) along a regulated river in the southwestern United States: Importance of flooding in riparian ecosystems

Cited by 20 publications

References 22 publications

Impact of Non‐Native Plant Removal on Lizards in Riparian Habitats in the Southwestern United States

Impact of Non‐Native Plant Removal on Lizards in Riparian Habitats in the Southwestern United States

Mortality of game mammals caused by an extreme flooding event in south-western Poland

Linking stream flow and groundwater to avian habitat in a desert riparian system

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