Metacommunity dynamics of amphibians in years with differing rainfall

Abstract

Many studies investigated the habitat preference and behaviour ecology of individual amphibian species while we know less about how their community assembly reflects changes in environmental factors, including the role of climatic extremes. Communitylevel studies also allow us to apply trait-based analyses that are crucial for a better understanding of the functioning of amphibian communities and metacommunities. In two years with contrasting rainfall (2012 and 2013), we found amphibian species in 85 different waterbodies of a heterogeneous landscape in Central Europe (Hungary). Within the metacommunity framework, the contributions of local, landscape and spatial variables to community assembly were assessed. We also measured the local extinction-colonisation rates in the ponds for all species between the two years. To investigate the role of dispersal traits in explaining the spatial distribution of species, we studied the relationship between body size and the pure spatial fraction of variation. According to our results, the main drivers were the same in both the dry and wet year, but their relative contribution changed. Local variables played a predominant role in the assembly of the amphibian metacommunity. Spatial signals were more evident in the dry year. This implies not only the adverse effect of decreased connectivity due to the drying out of several habitats but also a loss of breeding sites for the studied amphibians. Local colonisation rates were higher in primarily terrestrial species (Hyla arborea, Pelobates fuscus, Bufo bufo) which only visit ponds during breeding. We found a negative relationship between the pure spatial effect and body size, suggesting an increased level of dispersal limitation in small-bodied species. Our results showed that while the strength and relative role of local and spatial processes changed between years, the role of dispersal traits in explaining the spatial distribution of species was similar. Specialisation to different habitats seems to be a major process in determining vertebrate metacommunities in landscapes. Dispersal traits of different species should be taken more into consideration in the practical conservation of amphibian habitats.

Effects of urbanisation, habitat characteristics, and management on garden pond biodiversity: a citizen science approach

“…Altogether, amphibians and their tadpoles were significantly associated with older ponds, correlating with a greater period for species to locate and colonize these ponds (Moor et al, 2022). Many amphibian species prefer well-vegetated or large ponds (Arntzen et al, 1997; Péntek et al, 2017; Rannap et al, 2013), which was supported by our results that several species such as Bombina bombina, Pelobates fuscus, Triturus dobrogicus were positively associated with aquatic vegetation in our ponds. Due to the larger size of the rubber-lined ponds, rubber substrate had a significantly positive effect on the presence of amphibians and their tadpoles, also odonates, birds, and wading birds (Hamer et al, 2023).…”

Compensatory indirect effects of an herbicide on wetland communities

“…However, the direct negative effect of the herbicide on larval abundance was not observed in the 2010 model. The importance of wetland structure provides clues to why the direct effect of glyphosate on the abundance of Wood Frog larvae was only detected in 2009.The strongest influencing factors on amphibians in both years were variables associated with hydroperiod (surface area and minimum water depth), Journal Pre-proof J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f 18 which is a key factor structuring macrophyte and amphibian communities (Seddon 1972;Reddy et al, 1989;Werner et al, 2007, Péntek et al, 2017. Although the herbicide was unlikely to directly affect hydroperiod, it removed vegetation which may have resulted in less transpiration and greater water retention (Tsai et al, 2007).…”

“…Abiotic and physical characteristics have a strong influence on the community of species that are found within an ecosystem (Cottenie 2005). Within wetlands, a range of abiotic characteristics directly influence amphibian (Werner et al, 2007, Edge et al, 2016Péntek et al, 2017), macrophyte (Seddon 1972, Reddy et al, 1989, invertebrate (Curry and Baird 2015), zooplankton (Woodward & Kiesecker 1994), and phytoplankton (Gorham et al, 1974, Moss 1981 assemblages. In addition, species interactions such as predation, competition, or parasitism can strongly influence the composition of wetland communities (Batzer & Wissinger 1996, Petranka & Kennedy 1999, van Buskirk 2005, Altig et al, 2007, Sommer & Lewandowska 2011, Bakker et al, 2013.…”

Hydrology is a major influence on amphibian abundance in a large European floodplain

“…Note the different numerical scales for mean abundance. Hungary, where there was a significant effect of hydroperiod on amphibian community assembly and a weaker spatial effect (Péntek et al, 2017).…”