Habitat use by the wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus (LeConte, 1825)) within pothole wetlands modified by beaver (Castor canadensis Kuhl, 1820) in east-central Alberta

• Author / Creator

  Anderson, Nils L.

• Studies of amphibian habitat use often focus on using landscape characteristics to predict occupancy at broad spatial scales, but few have investigated how amphibians use specific habitat features within a wetland, such as the distinct habitat features created by beavers. In pothole wetlands of east-central Alberta, I examined the use of beaver lodges and beaver foraging canals by wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus (LeConte, 1825)) during breeding, larval development and post-metamorphic dispersal. Early thaw near occupied beaver lodges did not lead to earlier calling in wood frogs, and neither lodges nor canals were attractive oviposition sites compared to unmodified pond margins. Larval wood frogs primarily used unmodified pond margins and beaver canals, and avoided the central open water zone of the pond. Post-metamorphic wood frogs followed canals while dispersing from their natal pond. Thus, beaver canals linked aquatic and terrestrial environments: a potentially important consideration in the design of constructed wetlands.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Habitat use
  • Amphibians
  • Ecosystem engineering

• Graduation date

  Fall 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3WS8HV3R

• 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.