Date of Award
2008
Degree Name
Biological Sciences
College
College of Science
Type of Degree
M.S.
Document Type
Thesis
First Advisor
Thomas K. Pauley
Second Advisor
Tom Jones
Third Advisor
Jayme L. Waldron
Abstract
Amphibian populations are declining worldwide due to factors such as habitat degradation, fragmentation and destruction. I conducted a study to explore the use of created ponds in a forested habitat by breeding amphibians, specifically Rana sylvatica and Ambystoma maculatum. The objectives were to examine the movement of these animals after leaving the ponds, the survival and movement of juveniles, how both respond to fragmentation, and how similar the created ponds were to natural ones. Nine ponds were constructed in December 2003 in the MeadWestvaco Wildlife Ecosystem Research Forest (MWERF) in Randolph County, West Virginia. All trapped amphibians were measured and given a pond specific mark. Three silviculture treatments were cut around all ponds in August 2006. A significant difference in air temperature was found between elevations and between silviculture treatments. A significant difference in capture rates was found between elevations. A significant difference was found between created and natural ponds.
Subject(s)
Amphibians -- Breeding -- West Virginia -- Randolph County.
Amphibian populations -- West Virginia -- Randolph County
Amphibians -- Habitat -- West Virginia -- Randolph County.
Wildlife habitat improvement -- West Virginia -- Randolph County.
Recommended Citation
Schneider, Amy Elizabeth, "A Continued Study of the Use of Created Ponds for Amphibian Breeding in Fragmented Forested Areas" (2008). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 844.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/844
