Postbreeding movement patterns and multiscale habitat use of adult wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) at urban wetlands of Edmonton, Alberta.

• Author / Creator

  Taylor,Murdoch,ED

• Many studies have focused on the effects of urbanization on amphibian species richness, abundance and diversity, but few studies have quantified the effect on amphibian movement behaviour or habitat use. At 11 urban wetlands in Edmonton, Alberta, I examined the postbreeding movement behaviour and habitat use of adult wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) from April through October using radio telemetry. I found that movement from breeding wetlands was limited, with most tracked individuals remaining within 25 m of ponds in grassy riparian zones. Long-distance migratory movements were rare and only occurred at sites with a high proportion of forested land-cover surrounding the wetland. Tracked frogs showed a preference at three spatial scales for habitat close to water that provided shelter from desiccation and predation (e.g. unmowed grass and stands of shrubs). These findings have implications for the management of wetlands and conservation of amphibian populations in urban settings.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Urban
  • Movements
  • Wood frog
  • Habitat use

• Graduation date

  Spring 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3NK36C05

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.