The use of small ephemeral wetlands and streams by amphibians in the mixedwood forest of boreal Alberta.

摘要

Identifying amphibian habitats within a landscape provides a tool for managing their populations. I identified if and how amphibians used small ephemeral wetlands (. 0.1ha) and streams within the mixedwood forest area managed by Daishowa Marubeni International Ltd. near Peace River, north-western Alberta. Twenty-seven wetlands and their riparian zones were sampled for all life stages of amphibians in 2008 using timed visual encounter surveys. The riparian zones of 11 small streams were sampled with pitfall traps within 120 m of their beds from 2006 to 2008. Habitat features were also measured. Lithobates sylvaticus, Anaxyrus boreas and Pseudacris maculata used small ephemeral wetlands and the riparian zones of ephemeral, intermittent and permanent streams at different life stages. Water temperature and canopy cover influenced amphibian presence and abundance in wetlands. Coniferous and deciduous tree density were associated with L. sylvaticus abundance at the stream sites. I conclude that small waterbodies are amphibian habitats in the mixedwood forest of boreal Alberta.