Project T-108-R1
Project Title: Distribution, Abundance, and Recruitment of Amphibian SGNC in the Vermilion River Conservation Opportunity Area
Community and/or Species Focus:
Amphibians
Goals/Objectives:
- Survey wetlands to determine the distribution, relative abundance, and recruitment of the amphibian SGNC: Silvery Salamander, Four-toed Salamander, and Wood Frog
- Evaluate the success of created wetlands in providing suitable breeding habitats
Achievements:
- Documented the first population of Silvery Salamanders outside of protected lands in Illinois
- Wood Frogs appeared to be common within the study area, in habitats with large wooded tracts and vernal wetlands
- Four-toed Salamanders were only encountered in 1 out of the 6 wetlands studied
- Silvery Salamanders and Wood Frogs bred in recently created wetlands, but had lower Body Condition Scores when compared with those that used the reference wetlands
- The recently created wetlands examined in this study were shown to benefit some, but not all, amphibian species
- Developed recommendations on the future construction of wetlands for amphibian benefit
Post-Project Survey (if applicable): n/a
Project Period: 10/1/15 - 2/28/19
Principle Investigator(s):
Andrew Kuhns (Illinois Natural History Survey)Final Report:
Final Report not available for public use.