Descriptive risk assessment of the effects of acidic deposition on Rocky Mountain amphibians
Journal of Herpetology
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Abstract
We evaluated the risk of habitat acidification to the six species of amphibians that occur in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. Our evaluation included extrinsic environmental factors (habitat sensitivity and amount of acidic atmospheric deposition) and species-specific intrinsic factors (sensitivity to acid conditions, habitat preferences, and timing of breeding). Only one of 57 surveyed localities had both acid neutralizing capacity <200 μeq/L and sulfate deposition >10 kg/ha/yr, extrinsic conditions with a possible risk of acidification. Amphibian breeding habitats in the Rocky Mountains do not appear to be sufficiently acidic to kill amphibian embryos. Some species breed in high-elevation vernal pools during snowmelt, and an acidic pulse during snowmelt may pose a risk to embryos of these species. However, the acidic pulse, if present, probably occurs before open water appears and before breeding begins. Although inherent variability of amphibian population size may make detection of declines from anthropogenic effects difficult, acidic deposition is unlikely to have caused the observed declines of Bufo boreas and Rana pipiens in Colorado and Wyoming. Amphibians in the Rocky Mountains are not likely to be at risk with acidification inputs at present levels.
Suggested Citation
Corn, P., and Vertucci, F.A., 1992, Descriptive risk assessment of the effects of acidic deposition on Rocky Mountain amphibians: Journal of Herpetology, v. 26, no. 4, p. 361-369, https://doi.org/10.2307/1565112.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Descriptive risk assessment of the effects of acidic deposition on Rocky Mountain amphibians |
| Series title | Journal of Herpetology |
| DOI | 10.2307/1565112 |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Year Published | 1992 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles |
| Publisher location | Athens, OH |
| Description | 9 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Herpetology |
| First page | 361 |
| Last page | 369 |