Hatching success in salamanders and chorus frogs at two sites in Colorado, USA: Effects of acidic deposition and climate

Amphibia-Reptilia
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

The snowpack in the vicinity of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area is among the most acidic in the western United States. We analyzed water chemistry and examined hatching success in tiger salamanders and chorus frogs at ponds there and at nearby Rabbit Ears Pass (Dumont) to determine whether acid deposition affects amphibians or their breeding habitats at these potentially sensitive locations. We found a wide range of acid neutralizing capacity among ponds within sites; the minimum pH recorded during the experiment was 5.4 at one of 12 ponds with all others at pH ??? 5.7. At Dumont, hatching success for chorus frogs was greater in ponds with low acid neutralizing capacity; however, lowest pHs were >5.8. At current levels of acid deposition, weather and pond characteristics are likely more important than acidity in influencing hatching success in amphibian larvae at these sites.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Hatching success in salamanders and chorus frogs at two sites in Colorado, USA: Effects of acidic deposition and climate
Series title Amphibia-Reptilia
DOI 10.1163/156853803763806911
Volume 24
Issue 1
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher Brill
Contributing office(s) Fort Collins Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center
Description 10 p.
First page 27
Last page 36
Country United States
State Colorado
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details