Grantee Research Project Results
1999 Progress Report: The role of ecosystem processes in restoring local and regional species diversity in Coastal Plain wetlands
EPA Grant Number: R825795Title: The role of ecosystem processes in restoring local and regional species diversity in Coastal Plain wetlands
Investigators: Resetarits Jr., William J.
Current Investigators: Resetarits Jr., William J. , Fauth, John E.
Institution: Old Dominion University
Current Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , College of Charleston
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: September 1, 1997 through August 31, 2000
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 1998 through August 31, 1999
Project Amount: $527,032
RFA: Ecosystem Restoration (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Land and Waste Management , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
The purpose of this project is to determine the impact of variation in hydroperiod on the success of wetlands restoration efforts. Pond drying is a form of disturbance that at intermediate levels should increase species diversity by preventing elimination of species through competition and by preventing colonization of wetlands by predatory fishes. It also prevents the accumulation of other predators such as larval insects with long larval stages. Thus, maintaining a mosaic of pond hydroperiods may be critical to maintaining regional (watershed level) species diversity. The long-term goal of this project is to identify and test hydroperiod manipulations that bring the amphibian faunas of artificially created wetland ponds closer to those of their natural counterparts. Amphibians are sentinel species that are good indicators of ecosystem health, thus successful mitigation for frogs and salamanders should indicate restoration of ecosystem function affecting a broad range of organisms. The success of our proposed restoration strategies will be rigorously evaluated with a large-scale experimental test in man-made ponds.Progress Summary:
The second year of the grant was primarily used to complete the premanipulation sampling for the experiments that complement the whole pond manipulations that will now begin in Year 3. The second year of the project saw completion of all premanipulation sampling and associated tasks in preparation for hydroperiod manipulations. Though it is too early for publications arising from the primary work on this project, complementary research is already proving very fruitful, with numerous manuscripts published or in review, with others (not listed) in preparation. Project personnel also have presented several papers at regional and national meetings and are planning several presentations at national/international meetings this coming year (2000). Four thesis/dissertation projects are now fully underway and interface well with this project.
Three minnow-trapping sessions were conducted in the ponds; Fall '98 (October 1-10), Winter '98-'99 (January 7-11), and Spring '99 (April 7-11), along with five censuses of calling anurans: three in Winter '98-'99 (January 22-23, January 24, and February 1-2), and two in Spring '99 (March 21 - April 1, and May 12-14). This sampling completes the amphibian diversity monitoring designed to provide the necessary baseline data to begin the hydroperiod manipulations, now slated for Year 3 of the project. We have a database of amphibian diversities for natural ponds, "frog ponds," and borrow pits in the FMNF, and now can begin draining ponds according to our original design.
We also completed baseline measurements of standard environmental variables, and recorded pond perimeters and other distance measures using newly acquired GPS units with submeter capabilities. All of the data were entered into .jmp files and proofread twice to ensure accuracy. Study ponds were plotted on standard maps using a geographic information system (GIS). We also performed the preliminary analyses required for oral presentations at scientific meetings.
M.S. degree candidate Karen Johnson continued work on her thesis project, "Effects of vegetation characteristics on amphibian diversity in the Francis Marion National Forest, SC." She made detailed analyses of vegetation within and surrounding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study ponds, and incorporated it into a GIS database. M.S. degree candidate Jamie Schurbon began work on his thesis project, "Effects of prescribed burning on amphibians in the Francis Marion National Forest." Ph.D. candidate Chris Binckley completed the second year of his dissertation work on the role of oviposition site choice in community structure. His work will shed considerable light on the dynamics of amphibian colonization and the role of habitat mosaic phenomena in amphibian distributions. Ph.D. candidate Dave Chalcraft completed the second year of his dissertation work on variable impacts of predators on pond communities. His research focuses on what characteristics of predators define their effects on species composition and community structure in small pond systems.
Future Activities:
As indicated in our original proposal, the next activity involves beginning the manipulation of hydroperiod in the study ponds. We have completed all baseline work and will initiate hydroperiod manipulations as soon as environmental conditions are right to allow us to drain all the required ponds. We will then implement our experimental drying regimes and continue monitoring the species composition of the ponds for the remainder of the grant. In order to ascertain how hydroperiod combines with species interactions to determine diversity and richness in wetland habitats, we will continue to do parallel observations and experiments both in natural and model systems, both in South Carolina and Virginia to further our understanding of the processes affecting communities in seasonal wetland habitats.Journal Articles on this Report : 5 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 44 publications | 19 publications in selected types | All 17 journal articles |
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Fauth JE. Identifying potential keystone species from field data – an example from temporary ponds. Ecology Letters 1999;2(1):36-43. |
R825795 (1999) R825795 (Final) |
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Fauth JE, Resetarits Jr. WJ. Biting in the salamander Siren intermedia intermedia: courtship component or agonistic behavior? Journal of Herpetology 1999;33(3):493-496. |
R825795 (1999) R825795 (Final) |
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Fauth JE. Standard field codes for North American amphibians. Herpetological Review 1999;30(3):135-136. |
R825795 (1999) R825795 (Final) |
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Fauth JE. Interactions between branchiate mole salamanders (Ambystoma talpoideum) and lesser sirens (Siren intermedia): asymmetrical competition and intraguild predation. Amphibia-Reptilia 1999;20(2):119-132. |
R825795 (1999) R825795 (Final) |
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Fauth JE, Resetarits Jr. WJ, Levesque EM. A cost-effective method for locating herpetofaunal field sites from the air. Herpetological Review 2000;30(4):216-217. |
R825795 (1999) R825795 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
watersheds, ecological effects, ecosystem, indicators, restoration, aquatic, habitat, conservation, ecology, zoology, surveys, experiments, Southeast, South Carolina, SC, Virginia, VA., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Water, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Midwest, Water & Watershed, Restoration, State, Monitoring/Modeling, Environmental Monitoring, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Biology, Watersheds, wetlands, Iowa, biodiversity, diversity, wildlife, regional species diversity, frogs, amphibians, environmental assets, coastal environments, salamanders, species interactions, ecological recovery, aquatic ecosystems, IAProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.