Esther Morales-Vega University of Puerto Rico at Humacao Mentor: Dr Yong Wang REU 2009

1. Effect of urbanization and canopy cover on amphibian communities: a comparison of breeding pools in northern Alabama Esther Morales-Vega University of Puerto Rico at Humacao Mentor: Dr Yong Wang REU 2009 Alabama A& M University

2. Introduction • Vernals pools: (Calhoun et al., 2003; Calhoun and deMaynadier, 2004; Vasconcelos and Calhoun, 2006; Calhoun and DeMaynadier, 2007) • Isolated wetlands, ephemeral ponds or seasonal pools • Small (usually less than1to 2 acres) • Hydroperiod is between 8 to 11 months • Lack establishment of fish and others predators Photos: Esther Morales

3. Closed canopy-50% or more canopy cover over the pool Introduction • Vernals pools: • Canopy cover type: • Open canopy- 49% or less canopy cover over the pool Photos: Esther Morales

4. Introduction • The importance of vernal pools for amphibians (Calhoun et al., 2003; Baldwin et al., 2006;Vasconcelos and Calhoun, 2006) • Seasonal pools used for reproduction • Breeding habitat to sensitive egg and larval stages species • Ambystomatid salamanders (Ambystoma sp.) • Principal breeding site for spotted salamander (Ambystomamaculatum) Photos: Timothy Baldwin and Esther Morales

5. Amphibian species • Anuran species (Frogs and Toads) (Trauth et al., 2004, Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia, 2008.) • Widespread distribution (all continents except Antarctica) • Stocky bodies, broad heads, short vertebral column, and long hinds legs • External fertilization • Terrestrial individuals live in trees, shrubs, leaf litter, shores of sunny ponds, and sandy or loamy soil (subterranean habitat) Photos: Timothy Baldwin and Esther Morales

6. Amphibian species • Anuran species: • Hyla chrysoscelis- Cope’s Gray Tree Frog • Anaxyrus americanus- American Toad • Gastrophryne carolinrnensis- Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Toad • Acris crepitans- Northern Cricket Frog • Lithobates palustris- Pickerel Frog • Lithobates sphenocephala- Southern Leopard Frog • Lithobates catesbeiana – Bullfrog • Lithobates clamitans- Green Frog • Pseudacris crucifer-Spring Peeper Frog

7. Amphibian species • Salamander species (Trauth et al., 2004; Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia, 2008. ) • Distributed in Northern Hemisphere • Elongated bodies, long tail, and two pair of limbs • Internal fertilization • Terrestrial individuals live underground burrows and tunnels Photos: Esther Morales

8. Amphibian species • Salamanders species: • Ambystomamaculatum- Spotted salamander • Ambystomaopacum- Marbled salamander • Ambystomatalpoideum- Mole salamander • Notophthalmus v. viridescens- Red Spotted Newt

9. Problem • Urbanization negatively influences amphibian communities (Delis et al., 1996; Skidds et al., 2007; Harmer and McDonnell, 2008) • decreases the species richness, community structure and abundance of amphibian species • Urbanization causes (Vos and Chardon, 1998; Laposata and Dunson, 2000; Petranka et al., 2004; Cushman, 2006) • Habitat loss and fragmentation • Isolated amphibian populations • Alteration of abiotic condition of breeding vernal pools • Introduction of fish on breeding vernal pool

10. Research Questions • How does urbanization affect amphibian larvae and metamorph abundance in breeding pools? • How does canopy cover influence amphibian larvae and metamorphs?

11. Objectives • Assess the influence of urbanization on pool breeding amphibians: • forested vernal pools • urban pools • Determine how canopy cover influences amphibian metamorph production

12. Hypotheses • The forest vernal pools have higher abundances of amphibian species than urban pools • Closed breeding pools will have the higher abundance of ambystomatid salamanders and the Red Spotted Newt than open breeding pools • Open breeding pools will have a higher abundance of anuran species than closed breeding pool.

13. Importance of the Study • Few vernal pools studies have been conducted in southeastern United States • Few research articles document the amphibian species that breed in vernal pools • Assess impact of urbanization and canopy cover on amphibian species in breeding vernal pool • Amphibian larvae and metamorph abundance

14. Effect of Urbanization on Amphibian Species By Esther Morales

15. Methods • Study Sites • James D. Martin Skyline Wildlife Management Area Cumberland Plateau in Jackson County, northeastern Alabama: (Chan, 2007; Scott, 2008) • 6 forest vernal pools • 3 open- and 3- closed pools By Esther Morales

16. Methods • Study Sites • Huntsville • 4 urban pools • 2 open- and 2 closed pools By Esther Morales

17. Methods • Each breeding pool is sampled weekly for amphibians: • Twelve cover boards – 3 on each side of pool • Twelve PVC pipe tubes- 3 on each side of pool • Four litter traps- 1 on each edge of pool Photos: Timothy Baldwin and Esther Morales

18. Methods Open-Vernal Breeding Pool By Esther Morales

19. Methods Closed-Vernal Breeding Pool By Esther Morales

20. Methods • Amphibian larvae, metamorphs and adult sampled were identified and measured: • Species • Life stage • Weight • Snout-vent length (SVL) • Tail length (TL) • Environmental conditions of breeding pools were measured: • Dissolved oxygen • Pool area • Canopy cover • Water pH • Soil and water temperatures (Celsius) Photos: Timothy Baldwin and Esther Morales

21. Methods • Statistical Tests • Independent Sample T-Test • Two Way ANOVA

22. Results Canopy Type: p= 0.012

23. Results Canopy Type: p= 0.039

24. Results Landuse Type: F=8.4, p= 0.027

25. Results Canopy Type: F=8.1, p= 0.029

26. Results Canopy Type: F=31.44, p= 0.001

27. Results Landuse Type: F=38.845, p= 0.002 Canopy Type: F= 7.499, p= 0.041

28. Results Landuse Type: F=5.74, p= 0.054 Canopy Type: F= 15.84, p=0.007

29. Results • Significant environmental variables that influence on canopy type on forest vernal pools (Independent Sample T-Test) • Canopy cover (p=0.012) • Water pH (p=0.039) • Significant differences amphibians data that is influence by the landuse and/or canopy type (Two Way ANOVA) • Amphibian species number (Landuse Type: F=8.4, p=0.027) • Salamanders species abundance(Canopy Type: F=8.1, p=0.029) • Significant environmental variables that influence by landuse and/or canopy type (Two Way ANOVA) • Canopy cover (Canopy Type: F=31.44, p= 0.001) • Water pH (Landscape Type: F=38.845, p= 0.002; Canopy Type: F= 7.499, p= 0.041) • Soil temperature (Landscape Type: F=5.74, p= 0.054; Canopy Type: F= 15.84, p=0.007)

30. Conclusions Urbanization and canopy cover influence on amphibian species The forest vernal pools have the higher amphibian species number than urban pools The abiotic conditions of breeding pools that altered by urbanization soil temperature and water pH Salamanders species are influenced by the canopy cover, preferred the closed breeding pools The canopy cover influences water pH of forest vernal pools, is higher in open pools.

31. Future Research • Assess urbanization and canopy cover influence to landscape-level • Assess the abundance and diversity of amphibians species • Increase number of breeding pools samples: • 10 forest vernal pools • 10 urban pools

32. References • Amphibians, Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. (2008). University of Georgia Press. Editors : Jensen, J.B., C.D. Camp, W. Gibbsons, and M.J. Elliott. • Baldwin, R.F., A.J.K. Calhoun, and P.G. deMaynaider. (2006). The significance of hydroperiod and stand maturity for pool breeding amphibians in forest landscape. Biological Conservation 142, 1628–1638. • Calhoun, A. J. K. and P. deMaynadier.( 2004). Forestry habitat management guidelines for vernal pool wildlife. MCA Technical Paper No. 6, Metropolitan Conservation Alliance, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York. • Calhoun, A., T. Walls, S.S. Stockwell, and M. McCollough. (2003). Evaluating vernal pools as a basis for conservation strategies: A Maine case study. Wetlands, Vol. 23, No. 1, 70-81. • Wang, Y. and F. Chan. (2008). An Inventory of Herpetofauna on State Conservation Lands in theCumberland Plateau of Northern Alabama. Final Report, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Normal, Alabama • Cushman, S.A.(2006). Effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on amphibians: A review and prospectus. Biological Conservation 128, 231-240 • Gamble, L.R., K. McGarigal and B. W. Compton. (2007). Fidelity and dispersal in the pond-breeding amphibian, Ambystoma opacum: Implications for spatio-temporal population dynamics and conservation. Biological Conservation 139, 247 –257 • Hamer, A. J. and M.J. McDonnell. (2008). Amphibian ecology and conservation in the urbanising world: A review. Biological Conservation 141, 2432-2449. • Laposata M.M, and W. A. Dunson. (2000). Effects of Spray-Irrigated Wastewater Effluent on Temporary Pond-Breeding Amphibians. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 46, 192-201. • Pentranka, J.W., E.M. Harp, C.T. Holbrook and J.A. Hamel. (2007).Long-term persistence of amphibian populations in restored wetland complex. 138, 371–380. • Petranka, J. W., C.K. Smith and A. F. Scott. (2004). Identifying the minimal demographic unit for monitoring pond-breeding amphibians. Ecological Applications, 14(4), 1065–1078. • Scott, C.N. (2008). Use of natural and artificial vernal pools by semiaquatic salamanders in the Cumberland Region of Jackson County, Alabama. Alabama A&M University Master of Science. • Trauth, S.E., H.W. Robinson and M.V. Plummer. (2004) The Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas. The University of Arkansas Press, pp. 45-46,128. • Vasconcelos, D.and A.J.K. Calhoun. (2006). Monitoring created seasonal pools for functional succes: a six-year case study of amphibian responses, Sears Island, Maine, USA. Wetlands Vol. 26, No. 4, 992–1003

33. Acknowledgements • Dr. Yong Wang • Timothy Baldwin • Helen Czech • Serica Zwack • Jian Xu • Minority Access to Research Career Program (MARC), University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Dr. Esther Z. Vega (Director) and Eneris Santos (Administrative Coordinator)

34. Questions?