AMPHIBIAN DISTRIBUTION: ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS SURROUNDING NEW MITIGATED WETLANDS

Elise M. Edwards (L. Leann Kanda), Departments of Biology / Environmental Studies & Sciences, Ithaca College

Amphibian populations are in rapid decline around the globe. Habitats that amphibians currently occupy should be studied to determine the complex habitat requirements of each species. Many amphibian populations in the North East require vernal pools (or depressional wetlands) to use as breeding sites. In this study I looked at amphibian presence in a new mitigated wetlands site in Ithaca, New York. Mitigated wetlands are human-constructed habitats supposed to replace the ecosystem services of destroyed wetlands, in this case associated with construction on Ithaca College campus. I looked at the correlation between frog and tadpole populations and vegetation characteristics of the wetlands. In addition to this correlation, I observed the variability in distribution of amphibian species along transects starting from the wetlands site and continuing up an elevation gradient. I am expecting that there will be an increase in amphibian population density with increased vegetation density in the wetlands. I also predict that a decrease in amphibian presence will occur at higher elevations further away from the mitigated wetlands. The potential for the new mitigated wetlands to replace the destroyed wetlands as an area of amphibian habitat must continue to be assessed in future years in order to ensure the new wetlands is providing the ecological services for which it was intended.