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Monitoring Amphibians at the Fernald Preserve
Habitat quality can be measured using a couple of different methods.
Habitat quality can be measured using a couple of different methods.
1. Chemical analysis of the water allows for the detection of contaminants.
Habitat quality can be measured using a couple of different methods.
1. Chemical analysis of the water allows for the detection of contaminants.
2. Biotic analysis of water provides multiple data sets.
Habitat quality can be measured using a couple of different methods.
1. Chemical analysis of the water allows for the detection of contaminants.
2. Biotic analysis of water provides multiple data sets.
a. Species richness
Habitat quality can be measured using a couple of different methods.
1. Chemical analysis of the water allows for the detection of contaminants.
2. Biotic analysis of water provides multiple data sets.
a. Species richnessb. Species abundance
Habitat quality can be measured using a couple of different methods.
1. Chemical analysis of the water allows for the detection of contaminants.
2. Biotic analysis of water provides multiple data sets.
a. Species richnessb. Species abundancec. Water quality
What can the biota (living things) tell us?
What can the biota (living things) tell us?
There are organisms that are very tolerant of poor water quality. If they are present, and other species, which require high water quality are absent, then the quality of the water is poor.
What can the biota (living things) tell us?
If those species that require high water quality are present, then there is nothing in the water that is harmful to them. The water quality must be high.
What can the biota (living things) tell us?
If those species that require high water quality are present, then there is nothing in the water that is harmful to them. The water quality must be high.
*Even if those species that require high water quality are present, those that tolerate poor quality will be present too.
Organisms that can be used to “read” the quality of their environment are referred to as bioindicator species.
What species are good indicators of water quality?
What species are good indicators of water quality?
Large invertebrate animals, usually called macroinvertebrates, have traditionally been used as bioindicators.
What species are good indicators of water quality?
Large invertebrate animals, usually called macroinvertebrates, have traditionally been used as bioindicators.
What species are good indicators of water quality?
Large invertebrate animals, usually called macroinvertebrates, have traditionally been used as bioindicators.
What species are good indicators of water quality?
Large invertebrate animals, usually called macroinvertebrates, have traditionally been used as bioindicators.
Government agencies and ecologists use a system, called the Index of Biotic Integrity, to assess habitat quality.
Government agencies and ecologists use a system, called the Index of Biotic Integrity, to assess habitat quality.
It has been used primarily to assess plant communities.
Over the past couple of years, a biologist for the Ohio Environmental Protect Agency (OEPA) has adapted the IBI to what he calls the AmphIBI.
Over the past couple of years, a biologist for the Ohio Environmental Protect Agency (OEPA) has adapted the IBI to what he calls the AmphIBI.
It uses amphibians to measure environmental quality.
Why amphibians?
Why amphibians?1. Permeable skin
Why amphibians?1. Permeable skin2. Aquatic larvae are sensitive to poor water
quality.
Why amphibians?1. Permeable skin2. Aquatic larvae are sensitive to poor water
quality.3. Terrestrial adults are sensitive to poor
terrestrial habitat quality.
What species of amphibians can be expected at the Fernald Preserve?
Jefferson Salamander
Streamside Salamander
Eastern Tiger Salamander
Marbled Salamander
Spotted Salamander
Redback Salamander Ravine Salamander
Two-lined Salamander Longtail Salamander
Spring Peeper
Gray Treefrog
Bullfrog
Green Frog
American Toad
Fowler’s Toad
Eastern Cricket Frog
Northern Leopard Frog
Bullfrog
Gray Treefrog
Cricket Frog
