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.