Mitigation ponds offer drought resiliency for western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) populations
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Synergistic effects of habitat loss, drought, and climate change exacerbate amphibian declines. In southern California urbanization continues to convert natural habitat, while prolonged drought reduces surface water availability. Protection of biodiversity may be provided through mitigation; however, the long-term effectiveness of different strategies is often unreported. As a mitigation measure for building a new development within occupied Spea hammondii (western spadefoot) habitat in Orange County, California, artificial breeding pools were constructed at two off-site locations. Spea hammondii tadpoles were translocated from the pools at the development site to two off-site locations in 2005–2006. We conducted surveys a decade later (2016) to determine if S. hammondii were persisting and breeding successfully at either the original development site or the human-made pools at the two mitigation sites. We also verified hydroperiods of any existing pools at all three locations to see if any held water long enough for successful S. hammondii recruitment through metamorphosis.
During our study, no pooling water was detected at two of three main sites surveyed, and no S. hammondii were observed at these locations. Twelve of the 14 pools created at only one of the two mitigation sites held water for over 30 d, and we detected successful breeding at seven of these pools. Recruitment in some mitigation ponds indicated that S. hammondii habitat can be created and maintained over 10+ yr, even during the fifth year of a catastrophic drought. Therefore, this may also serve as a conservation strategy to mitigate climate change and habitat loss.
Study Area
Publication type | Article |
---|---|
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Title | Mitigation ponds offer drought resiliency for western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) populations |
Series title | Bulletin, Southern California Academy of Sciences |
DOI | 10.3160/0038-3872-119.1.6 |
Volume | 119 |
Issue | 1 |
Year Published | 2020 |
Language | English |
Publisher | Southern California Academy of Sciences |
Contributing office(s) | Western Ecological Research Center |
Description | 12 p. |
First page | 6 |
Last page | 17 |
Country | United States |
State | California |
County | Orange County |
City | East Orange |
Other Geospatial | Irvine Mesa, Shoestring Canyon |
Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |