Anthropogenic disturbance is a major cause of the biodiversity crisis. Nevertheless, the role of anthropogenic substrate vibrations in disrupting animal behavior is poorly understood. Amphibians comprise the terrestrial vertebrates most sensitive to vibrations, and since communication is crucial to their survival and reproduction, they are a suitable model for investigating this timely subject. Playback tests were used to assess the effects of substrate vibrations produced by two sources of anthropogenic activity– road traffic and wind turbines– on the calling activity of a naïve population of terrestrial toads. In their natural habitat, a buried tactile sound transducer was used to emit simulated traffic and wind turbine vibrations, and changes in the toads’ acoustic responses were analyzed by measuring parameters important for reproductive success: call rate, call duration and dominant frequency. Our results showed a significant call rate reduction by males of Alytes obstetricans in response to both seismic sources, whereas other parameters remained stable. Since females of several species prefer males with higher call rates, our results suggest that anthropogenically derived substrate-borne vibrations could reduce individual reproductive success. Our study demonstrates a clear negative effect of anthropogenic vibrations on anuran communication, and the urgent need for further investigation in this area.
O efeito de técnicas de cultivo do arroz irrigado sobre a qualidade da água efluente foi avaliado através de parâmetros físicos, químicos e biológicos. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida na Estação Experimental do Instituto Riograndense do Arroz (IRGA) no município de Cachoeirinha, RS, bacia do Rio Gravataí. Os testes foram realizados com 3 técnicas distintas e usuais de plantio: convencional, pré-germinado e direto. Constatou-se que, nos primeiros 30 dias de irrigação, os parâmetros medidos dentro dos quadros de plantio apresentaram valores superiores aos da entrada; após este período, a situação se inverteu. Com o crescimento, as plantas de arroz funcionaram como um banhado natural, extraindo da água e do solo uma quantidade significativa de nutrientes, não somente durante sua fase inicial, mas, também, durante todo o seu ciclo. Esses nutrientes foram extraídos do meio líquido, melhorando a qualidade ambiental da água efluente. Dentre todas as técnicas de cultivo, o menor impacto sobre a qualidade da água foi apresentado pelo plantio direto.
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