The significance of hydroperiod and stand maturity for pool-breeding amphibians in forested landscapes

摘要: The loss of small seasonal wetlands and adjacent forested habitat is a major threat to pool-breeding amphibians in North America. Identifying environmental correlates breeding effort (and success) remaining intact landscapes critical first step conservation planning. Little known about how amphibian populations respond fine-scale variations hydroperiod or neighboring forest structure composition. We studied these associations for wood frogs (Rana sylvatica LeConte, 1825) spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum(Shaw, 1802)) New England landscape (southern Maine, USA). conducted egg mass counts across two seasons at 87 strictly pools. influence (150 500 m scales) characteristics on were investigated. Pools with longer hydroperiods (‡18 weeks post breeding) that relatively isolated from other (<13 pools within 150 <19 m) supported larger both salamanders. Salamander largest mature forests. Natural- ized, anthropogenic comparable levels natural Conservation plan- ning should incorporate the end gradient.