Linking water quality with amphibian breeding and development: a case study comparing natural ponds and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in East Kilbride, Scotland

Abstract

Amphibians have declined due to habitat loss and alteration. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) provide potential habitat for amphibians in urban landscapes. However, the contaminants they accumulate may cause increased pollutant exposure, and limited research has addressed whether differences in water quality between SuDS and natural ponds might restrict their use by amphibians. This study aimed to explore the effects of water quality on amphibian breeding and development in SuDS and natural ponds in East Kilbride, Scotland. A generalised linear modelling approach was employed to determine sources of variation in common frog (Rana temporaria) breeding and development in relation to pond size, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), chlorophyll and heavy metal concentrations. Key findings included that EC indicative of salt pollution was higher in SuDS than natural ponds, amphibians bred in both site types, but frog spawn clump densities were lower in SuDS, and tadpole development rates were higher in SuDS sites but decreased when aluminium concentrations exceeded concentrations those of surface water standards. However, pond desiccation was a significant element in the 2018 study year. It was concluded that natural ponds and SuDS varied in water quality but were important in supporting amphibian populations. However, water quality might influence amphibian development more than breeding attempts; implications and management recommendations are highlighted based on these observations.

Amphibian conservation in Scotland: A review of threats and opportunities

“…Although biodiversity enhancement is not the prime motivation behind SuDS installation, there is growing evidence that they can provide habitat for a wide range of wild species, amphibians included. Scottish studies include: O'Brien, ; O'Brien, Hall, Miro, Rae, & Jehle, ; Miro, Hall, Rae, & O'Brien, ; and Bird et al, . Hassall and Anderson () have reported similar results from Canadian urban storm‐water management ponds.…”

“…In the Pyrenees, Miro, Sabas, and Ventura () found a strong negative association between introduced trout and four out of six amphibian species, especially the common frog, but also that some amphibians could co‐exist with fish. In Scotland also, research has shown that some amphibians are capable of breeding successfully in the presence of at least some species of fish (Bird, Paterson, Downie, & Mable, ).…”

“…The effects of pollutants on amphibian breeding and development remain relatively under‐researched. In Scotland, Bird et al () surveyed 19 peri‐urban ponds for heavy metal pollutants, salt, and chlorophyll (as an indicator of plant nutrient levels): frog breeding occurred successfully over a wide range of pollutant concentrations, but high levels of aluminium were shown to be detrimental to development. We know of no Scottish study that has reported the effects of agrichemicals, as demonstrated elsewhere, such as: alteration of tadpole brain development by exposure to sublethal concentrations of the pesticide chlorpyrifos (Woodley, Mattes, Yates, & Relyea, ); reduced tadpole survival and damage to the cutaneous bacterial community by the herbicide glyphosate (Krynak, Burke, & Benard, ); and feminization of male gonadal development by the herbicide atrazine (Orton & Tyler, ).…”

The Implications of AMD Induced Acidity, High Metal Concentrations and Ochre Precipitation on Aquatic Organisms

“…Details of biochemical and histopathological changes in Indian frog caused by metal contamination can also be found in Jayawardena et al [189]. Bird et al [190] have however highlighted that the effect of metals on amphibians depends on the combination of metals present. Some of these effects are presented in Table 5.…”