Quantitative recommendations for amphibian terrestrial habitat conservation derived from habitat selection behavior

Abstract

Conservation scientists have noted that conservation managers rarely use scientific information when making decisions. One of the reasons why managers rarely use scientific information may be that conservation scientists rarely provide their knowledge in a way that can directly be used by conservation practitioners. Here we show how quantitative recommendations for conservation can be derived. Previous research on terrestrial habitat selection behavior of toads (Bufo bufo and Bufo viridis) showed that wood deposits are a key resource in the terrestrial habitat. We used habitat-dependence analysis to estimate the amount of this key resource, wood deposits, that individual toads require. Based on these estimates we then quantify the requirements for wood deposits for a population. Additionally, we quantified the area that a population requires. Although wood deposits vary strongly in size, we found little evidence for size preferences: only one species preferred smallest sizes of wood deposits. We report all the estimates in a way that can be directly used by conservation managers. Habitat-dependence analysis is a simple and useful tool to quantify habitat requirements. Provisioning of wood deposits may improve the quality of terrestrial habitat for amphibians. Thereby, managers may increase the carrying capacity of terrestrial habitats and support elevated population densities. Abstract. Conservation scientists have noted that conservation managers rarely use scientific information when making decisions. One of the reasons why managers rarely use scientific information may be that conservation scientists rarely provide their knowledge in a way that can directly be used by conservation practitioners. Here we show how quantitative recommendations for conservation can be derived. Previous research on terrestrial habitat selection behavior of toads (Bufo bufo and Bufo viridis) showed that wood deposits are a key resource in the terrestrial habitat. We used habitat-dependence analysis to estimate the amount of this key resource, wood deposits, that individual toads require. Based on these estimates we then quantify the requirements for wood deposits for a population. Additionally, we quantified the area that a population requires. Although wood deposits vary strongly in size, we found little evidence for size preferences: only one species preferred smallest sizes of wood deposits. We report all the estimates in a way that can be directly used by conservation managers. Habitat-dependence analysis is a simple and useful tool to quantify habitat requirements. Provisioning of wood deposits may improve the quality of terrestrial habitat for amphibians. Thereby, managers may increase the carrying capacity of terrestrial habitats and support elevated population densities.Ecological Applications, 21(7), 2011, pp. 2548-2554 Ó 2011 by the Ecological Society of

Decline and re-expansion of an amphibian with high prevalence of chytrid fungus

“…We found that sites that were colonised were associated with higher levels of coarse woody debris (Table 1) which is likely to provide an important refuge for new colonisers (Hazell et al, 2003). Coarse woody debris is a key resource for some amphibians (Indermaur and Schmidt, 2011) and its addition could potentially be used to encourage L. v. verreauxii colonisation. Sites that supported frogs in both survey periods were associated with lower levels of bare bank and higher levels of tussock in the riparian zone (Table 1).…”

Amphibians forgo aquatic life in response to alien fish introduction

“…Indeed, newt survival has been shown to be higher on land than in the water in another newt species (Unglaub, Steinfartz, Drechsler & Schmidt, 2015). Previous studies showed the importance of the forest in the core zone around the breeding ponds of amphibians including newts (Denoël & Ficetola, 2008;Gustafson, Malmgren & Mikusiński, 2011;Indermaur & Schmidt, 2011). Indeed, forests can contain moist and shaded ground, which is favourable for feeding, but also for migration, aestivating and overwintering (Jehle & Arntzen, 2000;Marty, Angélibert, Giani & Joly, 2005;Schabetsberger, Jehle, Maletzky, Pesta & Sztatecsny, 2004).…”

Spatial capture–recapture analysis of artificial cover board survey data reveals small scale spatial variation in slow-worm Anguis fragilis density

“…We do not know the cause for the variation in density among the three areas. It may be related to social interactions, resource availability or habitat quality [33][34][35]. Further studies that link density to resource selection and or variation in habitat quality may therefore be worthwhile [36].…”