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

Snodgrass, Joel W.; Komoroski, Mark J.; Bryan, A. Lawrence; Burger, Joanna

doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.2000.99161.x

Cited by 300 publications

(218 citation statements)

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“…The conservation of wetlands based on its size has been a criterion analysed in the literature (Gibbs, 2000;Snodgrass et al, 2000). Several studies have already highlighted the importance of small wetlands for the conservation of biodiversity (Semlitsch and Bodie, 1998;Russel et al, 2002).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquatic macrophyte and macroinvertebrate diversity and conservation in wetlands of the Sinos River basin

2010

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Wetlands are important sites for biological conservation because they support rich biodiversity and present high productivity. Species-area relationship is an important tool in conservation planning and it has been extensively used for wetland management. This study had as aims: (1) to analyse macrophyte and macroinvertebrate diversity in the fragmented wetlands of the Sinos River basin; and (2) to investigate whether wetland areas could work as a tool for selecting the important habitats for biodiversity conservation. Throughout the study, 56 species of macrophytes and 57 taxa of macroinvertebrates were identified. Macrophyte richness was related to the wetland area, but macroinvertebrate richness, however, was not related to the wetland area. The macrophyte and macroinvertebrate composition were not related to the wetland area. Species composition varied between the regions of the basin and the difference in the species composition occurred mainly by the distribution of macroinvertebrates. With regard to the biodiversity conservation of the Sinos River basin, the wetland area must not be a priority criterion for choosing the important wetlands for conservation. The environmental policies for biodiversity conservation must include management actions focused also on the protection of small wetlands. Moreover, other criteria should be analysed in further research such as habitat diversity, hydroperiod, geographic distribution and connectivity.Keyword: area, diversity, composition, conservation, Neotropical region. Diversidade e conservação de macrófitas e macroinvertebrados aquáticos em áreas úmidas da bacia do Rio dos Sinos ResumoAs áreas úmidas são locais importantes para a conservação da biodiversidade, pois suportam uma alta diversidade de espécies e alta produtividade. A relação espécie-área é uma ferramenta importante em planos de conservação e amplamente utilizada no manejo de áreas úmidas. Este estudo teve como objetivos: (1) analisar a diversidade de macrófitas aquáticas e macroinvertebrados em áreas úmidas fragmentadas da bacia do rio dos Sinos; e (2) investigar se o tamanho da área úmida é um critério válido para selecionar locais importantes para a conservação da biodiversidade. Ao longo do estudo, foram identificadas 56 espécies de macrófitas aquáticas e 57 taxas de macroinvertebrados. A riqueza de macrófitas esteve relacionada com o tamanho da área úmida, porém, a riqueza de macroinvertebrados não esteve associada ao tamanho da área úmida. A composição de macrófitas e macroinvertebrados não esteve relacionada ao tamanho dos sistemas. A composição de espécies variou entre as regiões da bacia hidrográfica e a diferença na composição ocorreu principalmente devido à distribuição dos macroinvertebrados. Em relação à conservação da biodiversidade na bacia do rio dos Sinos, o tamanho da área úmida não deve ser o critério prioritário para a seleção de locais importantes para a conservação. A política ambiental para a conservação da biodiversidade deve incluir ações de manejo focadas também na proteç...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquatic macrophyte and macroinvertebrate diversity and conservation in wetlands of the Sinos River basin

2010

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“…Large open-canopy ponds are associated with higher primary productivity, including high standing crop and diversity of periphyton and macrophytes (Skelly et al 2002), which can be beneficial for amphibians as a refuge from predators and substrate for eggs (Strijbosch 1979). Hydroperiod is another widely cited factor influencing amphibian species richness Aquat Ecol (Snodgrass et al 2000;Skelly 2001;Babbitt, Baber and Tarr 2003;Werner et al 2007a). A number of studies have demonstrated that ponds with intermediate hydroperiod are optimal breeding sites for many amphibian species and thus tend to have high species richness (Wilbur 1980;Werner et al 2007a).…”

Section: Relative Importance Of Metacommunity Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…water depth, salinity; Welborn et al 1996;hydroperiod;Snodgrass et al 2000;number of predators;Van Buskirk 2005;pond size, vegetation;Vági et al 2013) and landscape variables (e.g. forest cover, proportion of open landscape; Van Buskirk 2005;Richter-Boix et al 2007) are both important in shaping amphibian communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metacommunity dynamics of amphibians in years with differing rainfall

Péntek

Vad

Zsuga³

et al. 2016

Aquat Ecol

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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.

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“…Higher water levels in consolidated wetlands could mean that those wetlands will need a much more extreme drought to dry out completely, simply because they are larger and deeper. This process changes the wetland from one with fluctuating hydrology to one that is essentially permanently flooded, fundamentally changing the community composition of the wetland and its function in the landscape (van der Valk et al 1994, Wellborn et al 1996, Snodgrass et al 2001.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Land use and wetland drainage affect water levels and dynamics of remaining wetlands

et al. 2015

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Abstract. Depressional wetlands are productive and unique ecosystems found around the world. Their value is due, in part, to their dynamic nature, in which water levels fluctuate in response to climate, occasionally drying out. However, many wetlands have been altered by consolidation drainage, where multiple, smaller wetlands are drained into fewer, larger, wetlands causing higher water levels. We evaluated whether current (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010) water surface areas were greater than historical water surface areas of 141 randomly selected semipermanent and permanent wetlands across the Prairie Pothole Region of North Dakota, USA. We also evaluated whether differences between historical and current hydrology of these wetlands were attributable to consolidation drainage. For each of these wetlands, we digitized water surface areas from aerial photography during historical and current eras. Our results indicated that water surface areas are currently 86% greater in sample wetlands than they were historically and that differences can be attributed to consolidation drainage. Water surface areas of consolidated wetlands in extensively drained landscapes were 197% greater than those with no drainage and now require more extreme drought conditions to dry out. Wetlands in extensively drained catchments were larger, dry out less frequently, and have more surface-water connections to other wetlands via ditches. These factors make conditions more favorable for the presence of fish that decrease abundances of aquatic invertebrates and reduce the productivity and quality of these wetlands for many species. Our results support the idea that intact wetlands serve an important role in water storage and groundwater recharge and reduce down-stream runoff.

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

Cited by 300 publications

References 14 publications

Aquatic macrophyte and macroinvertebrate diversity and conservation in wetlands of the Sinos River basin

Aquatic macrophyte and macroinvertebrate diversity and conservation in wetlands of the Sinos River basin

Metacommunity dynamics of amphibians in years with differing rainfall

Land use and wetland drainage affect water levels and dynamics of remaining wetlands

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