| Abstract: | We compared the macroinvertebrate and amphibian communities of 12 excavated and 12 natural wetlands in western North Dakota, USA, to assess the effects of artificially lengthened hydroperiods on the biotic communities of wetlands in this semi-arid region. Excavated wetlands were largely unvegetated or contained submergent and deep-marsh plant species. The natural wetlands had two well-defined vegetative zones populated by plant species typical of wet meadows and shallow marshes. Excavated wetlands had a richer aquatic macroinvertebrate community that included several predatory taxa not found in natural wetlands. Taxa adapted to the short hydroperiods of seasonal wetlands were largely absent from excavated wetlands. The amphibian community of natural and excavated wetlands included the boreal chorus frog, northern leopard frog, plains spadefoot, Woodhouse‘s toad, and tiger salamander. The plains spadefoot occurred only in natural wetlands while tiger salamanders occurred in all 12 excavated wetlands and only one natural wetland. Boreal chorus frogs and northern leopard frogs were present in both wetland types; however, they successfully reproduced only in wetlands lacking tiger salamanders. Artificially extending the hydroperiod of wetlands by excavation has greatly influenced the composition of native biotic communities adapted to the naturally short hydroperiods of wetlands in this semi-arid region. The compositional change of the biotic communities can be related to hydrological changes and biotic interactions, especially predation, related to excavation. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 1001882 |
| Citation Author: | Euliss, N. H., Jr.; Mushet, D. M. |
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| Citation End Page: | 84 |
| Citation Issue: | 1 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 11 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | p. 73-84 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Impacts of water development on aquatic macroinvertebrates, amphibians, and plants in wetlands of a semi-arid landscape; 2004; Article; Journal; Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management; Euliss, N. H., Jr.; Mushet, D. M. |
| Citation Start Page: | 73 |
| Citation Volume: | 7 |
| Citation Year: | 2004 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Impacts of water development on aquatic macroinvertebrates, amphibians, and plants in wetlands of a semi-arid landscape; 2004; Article; Journal; Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management; Euliss, N. H., Jr.; Mushet, D. M. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Thu, 1 Jan 2004 00:00 -0600 |
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