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Bempah G, Kobby Grant M, Lu C, Borzée A. The direct and indirect effects of damming on the Hippopotamus amphibius population abundance and distribution at Bui National Park, Ghana. NC 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.50.87411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Landscape changes resulting from human activities have resulted in range restrictions and substantial reductions in population sizes of most animals. The construction of hydroelectric dams has the same effect on species, but the study of their impact on semi-aquatic megafauna species is limited. We examined the response of a Hippopotamus amphibius population to the inundation of their habitat after the construction of a hydroelectric dam in Bui National Park, Ghana. We conducted an abundance and distribution survey of H. amphibius and compared the population size from our results with a pre-dam construction survey to determine changes in the abundance and distribution of the species within the focal area. Furthermore, we conducted a landscape analysis to estimate land cover before and after the dam construction and determined if the changes in land cover were related to the changes in population of H. amphibius. Finally, we conducted selected interviews to understand additional threats to the species perceived by the local population, as indirect effects of the dam construction. Contrary to our original hypothesis on an increase in the abundance of H. amphibius in the medium term (within a decade) through population recovery after the disturbances caused by the construction of the dam, we found lower numbers of H. amphibius after the dam construction, compared to the pre-dam results. The results indicated a reduced abundance from 209 H. amphibius individuals in 2003 to 64 H. amphibius individuals in 2021. Some individuals may have migrated to areas outside the reserve during damming when their habitat was disturbed. The amount of land covered by water increased from 0.41% before damming to 19.01% after damming, which flooded the resting and grazing sites of the H. amphibius. We conclude that the abundance and distribution of H. amphibius significantly and negatively decreased after the construction of the dam at the Bui National Park. We tentatively relate this decrease to the species’ semi aquatic ecology and sensitivity to changes in both the terrestrial and aquatic environment. The activities of human settlement encroachment such as poaching, as well as associated land cover changes, affected the stability of the H. amphibius population. However, as the species can survive in the medium to long term when effective management plans are implemented, we recommend H. amphibius to be given high conservation priorities by enhancing strict laws for habitat protection.
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Littlefair ME, Nimmo DG, Ocock JF, Michael DR, Wassens S. Amphibian occurrence and abundance patterns across a modified floodplain ecosystem. AUSTRAL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E. Littlefair
- School of Environmental Science Institute for Land, Water and Society Charles Sturt University PO Box 789 Albury New South Wales 2640 Australia
| | - Dale G. Nimmo
- School of Environmental Science Institute for Land, Water and Society Charles Sturt University PO Box 789 Albury New South Wales 2640 Australia
| | - Joanne F. Ocock
- Water, Wetlands and Coast Science Branch NSW Office of Environment and Heritage Sydney New South Wales Australia
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences Centre for Ecosystem Science University of New South Wales Randwick New South Wales Australia
| | - Damian R. Michael
- School of Environmental Science Institute for Land, Water and Society Charles Sturt University PO Box 789 Albury New South Wales 2640 Australia
| | - Skye Wassens
- School of Environmental Science Institute for Land, Water and Society Charles Sturt University PO Box 789 Albury New South Wales 2640 Australia
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Mathwin R, Wassens S, Young J, Ye Q, Bradshaw CJA. Manipulating water for amphibian conservation. Conserv Biol 2021; 35:24-34. [PMID: 32189374 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Amphibian populations globally are in decline. One great threat is the abstraction of water resources that alter surface-water hydrology. Conservation actions aimed at restoring or manipulating surface water are employed as a management tool, but empirical evidence on the effectiveness of these approaches is scarce. In this systematic review, we summarized the global experience of manipulating water for amphibian conservation. We explored examples of manipulating water to conserve amphibian species and communities. Approaches varied in their frequency of implementation and in their success. Extending hydroperiod to match larval requirements showed encouraging results, as did off-season drying to control predators. Spraying water into the environment showed several potential applications, but successes were limited. Despite some promising interventions, we identified few (n = 17) empirically supported examples of successful water manipulation to benefit amphibians. It is unclear whether this stems from publication bias or if it is an artifact of language selection. However, manipulating water shows some potential in amphibian conservation, particularly at sites with a proximal water source and in regions where aridity is increasing due to climate change. Regardless of the scale of the intervention or its perceived probability of success, high-quality reporting of empirical results will further understanding of how water manipulations can benefit threatened amphibian populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupert Mathwin
- Global Ecology, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia
| | - Skye Wassens
- School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University, P.O. Box 789, Albury, New South Wales, 2640, Australia
| | - Jeanne Young
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia
| | - Qifeng Ye
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia
- Inland Waters, South Australian Research and Development Institute, 2 Hamra Ave, West Beach, South Australia, 5024, Australia
| | - Corey J A Bradshaw
- Global Ecology, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia
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Ekka A, Pande S, Jiang Y, der Zaag PV. Anthropogenic Modifications and River Ecosystem Services: A Landscape Perspective. Water 2020; 12:2706. [DOI: 10.3390/w12102706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The process of development has led to the modification of river landscapes. This has created imbalances between ecological, economic, and socio-cultural uses of ecosystem services (ESs), threatening the biotic and social integrity of rivers. Anthropogenic modifications influence river landscapes on multiple scales, which impact river-flow regimes and thus the production of river ESs. Despite progress in developing approaches for the valuation ecosystem goods and services, the ecosystem service research fails to acknowledge the biophysical structure of river landscape where ecosystem services are generated. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to synthesize the literature to develop the understanding of the biocomplexity of river landscapes and its importance in ecosystem service research. The review is limited to anthropogenic modifications from catchment to reach scale which includes inter-basin water transfer, change in land-use pattern, sub-surface modifications, groundwater abstractions, stream channelization, dams, and sand mining. Using 86 studies, the paper demonstrates that river ESs largely depend on the effective functioning of biophysical processes, which are linked with the geomorphological, ecological, and hydrological characteristics of river landscapes. Further, the ESs are linked with the economic, ecological, and socio-cultural aspect. The papers show that almost all anthropogenic modifications have positive impact on economic value of ESs. The ecological and socio-cultural values are negatively impacted by anthropogenic modifications such as dams, inter-basin water transfer, change in land-use pattern, and sand mining. The socio-cultural impact of ground-water abstraction and sub-surface modifications are not found in the literature examined here. Further, the ecological and socio-cultural aspects of ecosystem services from stakeholders’ perspective are discussed. We advocate for linking ecosystem service assessment with landscape signatures considering the socio-ecological interactions.
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Guzy JC, Eskew EA, Halstead BJ, Price SJ. Influence of damming on anuran species richness in riparian areas: A test of the serial discontinuity concept. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:2268-2279. [PMID: 29468042 PMCID: PMC5817157 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost all large rivers worldwide are fragmented by dams, and their impacts have been modeled using the serial discontinuity concept (SDC), a series of predictions regarding responses of key biotic and abiotic variables. We evaluated the effects of damming on anuran communities along a 245-km river corridor by conducting repeated, time-constrained anuran calling surveys at 42 locations along the Broad and Pacolet Rivers in South Carolina, USA. Using a hierarchical Bayesian analysis, we test the biodiversity prediction of the SDC (modified for floodplain rivers) by evaluating anuran occupancy and species diversity relative to dams and degree of urbanized land use. The mean response of the anuran community indicated that occupancy and species richness were maximized when sites were farther downstream from dams. Sites at the farthest distances downstream of dams (47.5 km) had an estimated ~3 more species than those just below dams. Similarly, species-specific occupancy estimates showed a trend of higher occupancy downstream from dams. Therefore, using empirical estimation within the context of a 245-km river riparian landscape, our study supports SDC predictions for a meandering river. We demonstrate that with increasing distance downstream from dams, riparian anuran communities have higher species richness. Reduced species richness immediately downstream of dams is likely driven by alterations in flow regime that reduce or eliminate flows which sustain riparian wetlands that serve as anuran breeding habitat. Therefore, to maintain anuran biodiversity, we suggest that flow regulation should be managed to ensure water releases inundate riparian wetlands during amphibian breeding seasons and aseasonal releases, which can displace adults, larvae, and eggs, are avoided. These outcomes could be achieved by emulating pre-dam seasonal discharge data, mirroring discharge of an undammed tributary within the focal watershed, or by basing real-time flow releases on current environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyn C. Guzy
- Department of BiologyUniversity of ArkansasFayettevilleARUSA
- Department of BiologyDavidson CollegeDavidsonNCUSA
| | - Evan A. Eskew
- Department of BiologyDavidson CollegeDavidsonNCUSA
- EcoHealth AllianceNew YorkNYUSA
- Graduate Group in EcologyUniversity of California ‐ DavisDavisCAUSA
| | | | - Steven J. Price
- Department of BiologyDavidson CollegeDavidsonNCUSA
- Department of Forestry and Natural ResourcesUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKYUSA
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J. Sepulveda
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center; US Geological Survey; Bozeman MT USA
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Marsh DM, Cosentino BJ, Jones KS, Apodaca JJ, Beard KH, Bell JM, Bozarth C, Carper D, Charbonnier JF, Dantas A, Forys EA, Foster M, General J, Genet KS, Hanneken M, Hess KR, Hill SA, Iqbal F, Karraker NE, Kilpatrick ES, Langen TA, Langford J, Lauer K, McCarthy AJ, Neale J, Patel S, Patton A, Southwick C, Stearrett N, Steijn N, Tasleem M, Taylor JM, Vonesh JR. Effects of roads and land use on frog distributions across spatial scales and regions in the
E
astern and
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entral
U
nited
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tates. DIVERS DISTRIB 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David M. Marsh
- Department of Biology Washington and Lee University Lexington VA USA
| | | | - Kara S. Jones
- Department of Biology University of Kentucky Lexington KY USA
| | - Joseph J. Apodaca
- Department of Environmental Studies and Biology Warren Wilson College Asheville NC USA
| | - Karen H. Beard
- Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center Utah State University Logan UT USA
| | - Jane Margaret Bell
- Department of Environmental Studies and Biology Warren Wilson College Asheville NC USA
| | - Christine Bozarth
- Mathematics, Science and Engineering Division Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria VA USA
| | - Derrick Carper
- Department of Biology Anoka‐Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids MN USA
| | | | - Andreia Dantas
- Mathematics, Science and Engineering Division Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria VA USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Forys
- Department of Environmental Science and Biology Eckerd College St. Petersburg FL USA
| | - Miran Foster
- Department of Biology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA USA
| | - Jaquelyn General
- Department of Biology Anoka‐Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids MN USA
| | - Kristen S. Genet
- Department of Biology Anoka‐Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids MN USA
| | - Macie Hanneken
- Department of Environmental Science and Biology Eckerd College St. Petersburg FL USA
| | - Kyle R. Hess
- Department of Natural Resources Science University of Rhode Island Kingston RI USA
| | - Shane A. Hill
- Department of Wildland Resources and the Ecology Center Utah State University Logan UT USA
| | - Faisal Iqbal
- Mathematics, Science and Engineering Division Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria VA USA
| | - Nancy E. Karraker
- Department of Natural Resources Science University of Rhode Island Kingston RI USA
| | - Eran S. Kilpatrick
- Division of Mathematics and Science University of South Carolina Salkehatchie Walterboro SC USA
| | - Tom A. Langen
- Department of Biology Clarkson University Potsdam NY USA
| | - James Langford
- Division of Mathematics and Science University of South Carolina Salkehatchie Walterboro SC USA
| | - Kathryn Lauer
- Department of Biology Clarkson University Potsdam NY USA
| | | | - Joseph Neale
- Department of Biology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA USA
| | - Saumya Patel
- Department of Biology Washington and Lee University Lexington VA USA
| | - Austin Patton
- Department of Environmental Studies and Biology Warren Wilson College Asheville NC USA
| | - Cherie Southwick
- Department of Environmental Studies and Biology Warren Wilson College Asheville NC USA
| | | | - Nicholas Steijn
- Department of Biology Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva NY USA
| | - Mohammad Tasleem
- Mathematics, Science and Engineering Division Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria VA USA
| | - Joseph M. Taylor
- Department of Biology Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva NY USA
| | - James R. Vonesh
- Department of Biology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA USA
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Grant TJ, Otis DL, Koford RR. Short-term anuran community dynamics in the Missouri River floodplain following an historic flood. Ecosphere 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/es15-00011.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Randall LA, Smith DHV, Jones BL, Prescott DRC, Moehrenschlager A. Seasonal differences in extinction and colonization drive occupancy dynamics of an imperilled amphibian. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127059. [PMID: 25993256 PMCID: PMC4436227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A detailed understanding of the population dynamics of many amphibian species is lacking despite concerns about declining amphibian biodiversity and abundance. This paper explores temporal patterns of occupancy and underlying extinction and colonization dynamics in a regionally imperiled amphibian species, the Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) in Alberta. Our study contributes to elucidating regional occupancy dynamics at northern latitudes, where climate extremes likely have a profound effect on seasonal occupancy. The primary advantage of our study is its wide geographic scale (60,000 km2) and the use of repeat visual surveys each spring and summer from 2009-2013. We find that occupancy varied more dramatically between seasons than years, with low spring and higher summer occupancy. Between spring and summer, colonization was high and extinction low; inversely, colonization was low and extinction high over the winter. The dynamics of extinction and colonization are complex, making conservation management challenging. Our results reveal that Northern leopard frog occupancy was constant over the last five years and thus there is no evidence of decline or recovery within our study area. Changes to equilibrium occupancy are most sensitive to increasing colonization in the spring or declining extinction in the summer. Therefore, conservation and management efforts should target actions that are likely to increase spring colonization; this could be achieved through translocations or improving the quality or access to breeding habitat. Because summer occupancy is already high, it may be difficult to improve further. Nevertheless, summer extinction could be reduced by predator control, increasing water quality or hydroperiod of wetlands, or increasing the quality or quantity of summer habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea A. Randall
- Centre for Conservation and Research, Calgary Zoological Society, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Des H. V. Smith
- Centre for Conservation and Research, Calgary Zoological Society, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Wildland Consultants Ltd., Barrington, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Breana L. Jones
- Centre for Conservation and Research, Calgary Zoological Society, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David R. C. Prescott
- Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Fish and Wildlife Division, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
| | - Axel Moehrenschlager
- Centre for Conservation and Research, Calgary Zoological Society, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Naniwadekar R, Vasudevan K. Impact of Dams on Riparian Frog Communities in the Southern Western Ghats, India. Diversity 2014; 6:567-78. [DOI: 10.3390/d6030567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Ocock JF, Kingsford RT, Penman TD, Rowley JJL. Frogs during the flood: Differential behaviours of two amphibian species in a dryland floodplain wetland. AUSTRAL ECOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne F. Ocock
- Australian Wetlands, Rivers and Landscapes Centre; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; University of New South Wales; Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Richard T. Kingsford
- Australian Wetlands, Rivers and Landscapes Centre; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; University of New South Wales; Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
| | - Trent D. Penman
- Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires; Institute of Conservation Biology and Environmental Management; University of Wollongong; Wollongong
| | - Jodi J. L. Rowley
- Australian Wetlands, Rivers and Landscapes Centre; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences; University of New South Wales; Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
- Australian Museum Research Institute; Australian Museum; Sydney New South Wales Australia
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Guzy JC, Price SJ, Dorcas ME. Using multiple methods to assess detection probabilities of riparian-zone anurans: implications for monitoring. Wildl Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1071/wr14038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context Both manual call surveys (MCS) and visual encounter surveys (VES) are popular methods used to monitor anuran populations. Recent statistical developments, specifically the development of occupancy models that permit the use of data from various survey methods to assess method-specific detection probabilities, provide a rigorous framework for evaluating the effectiveness of field methods. Aim To compare species-specific detection probabilities generated by MCS and VES and to evaluate the effectiveness of these methods throughout the activity season of several riparian-zone anuran species. Methods During 2010 and 2011, we sampled 21 sites along the Broad and Pacolet Rivers, in South Carolina, USA, using MCS and VES. Anuran species were surveyed across three seasons (fall, spring and summer) each year. Key results For six species, MCS resulted in a higher mean probability of detection, whereas VES resulted in a higher mean probability of detection for four species. In addition, survey date was an important influence on detection probability of most anurans when using MCS, but largely unimportant when employing VES. Conclusions Our findings indicated that VES are as effective as MCS for detecting some species of anurans, and for others, VES represent a more effective method. Furthermore, when using VES outside the breeding window, some anurans can be reliably detected, and in some cases, detected more easily than by using MCS. Implications We suggest that VES is a complimentary technique to MCS and a potentially important tool for population monitoring of anurans. VES can provide more flexibility for anuran researchers, as robust estimates of detection and occupancy can be obtained outside a narrow breeding window.
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