Manipulating wetland hydroperiod to improve occupancy rates by an endangered amphibian: Modelling management scenarios

摘要: Summary 1.Environmental managers have the difficult task of ensuring species persistence despite considerable uncertainty about their response to management. Spatially-explicit population models provide one solution for simulating dynamics and evaluating alternative management regimes. 2.We used a Bayesian model investigate wetland occupancy endangered growling grass frog Litoria raniformis at wastewater treatment plant in southern Victoria, Australia. We coupled prior information from earlier research on this with our survey data quantify effects patch-scale variables connectivity probabilities occupancy, extinction colonisation. Hydroperiods 13 sites were experimentally enhanced bolster rates by L. raniformis. simulations assess extent which hydroperiod regime improved viability focal metapopulation. 3.Occupancy rate increased 15% among 2013–2014, whereas unenhanced fell 11% that year. Forward simulation using dynamic suggested minimum across metapopulation would be 18% higher if was retained over next 20 years. 4.Mean posterior consistent effect all cases, only small changes size these effects. There no clear water chemistry dynamics. 5.Synthesis applications. This work suggests managing constructed wetlands can an effective tool conservation amphibians, demonstrates utility spatially-explicit assessing viability. encourage test efficacy manipulating improve within amphibian metapopulations. This article is protected copyright. All rights reserved.