Amphibian population estimates and ecosystem assessment on the Durango Nature Studies Property
Tanner Smith
Introduction:
The Durango Nature Studies Property is a local nature center that had been educating people in the four corners for 18 years. The variety of habitats found on the DNS property make this a prime spot for wildlife. With DNS’ small staff and volunteer system they serve an average of 6,000 people per year. Durango Nature Studies school program is statewide and serves students in grades Preschool and up. Durango Nature Studies received four medals for working with the community, when DNS was started in 1994 it kicked off as a non-profit organization dedicated to providing nature, science, and environmental education to the students and communities all throughout Colorado. DNS is located exactly 12 miles south of Durango Colorado on highway 550. The High Noon Rotary Club donated a footbridge that crosses the Florida River and leads to the heart of the site. In addition, school projects and eagle scouts have contributed to the build of things such as a solar water pump and a floating dock in our pond. The Nature Center is a very reliable community resource. Prior to the Durango Nature Studies' purchase, the land had been used for many things, including a gravel pit on the top 35 acres, oil and gas development on both the upper and lower portions (which are still active), and cattle grazing. The pond contains multiple species of frog’s one of which being the bullfrog. The bullfrog is not native to Colorado but was introduced by the Division of Wildlife years ago being seen as a very contribution species to our local habitats and ecosystems, and serving as a sport animal. Eventually the bullfrog’s reproduction rate was escalating a lot faster than they expected. Bullfrogs now being an evasive species, pose a threat to the DNS ecosystem. Invasive species often pose threats to other species of the habitat. This case being the bullfrogs are so territorial, they are known to push the leopard frogs out of the good hiding spots around the perimeter of the pond and force them into the open water in the pond, where they can be eaten by the bluegill fish that have been stocked the pond. The leopard frogs state status in Colorado is an “A state special concern”.
Natural History:
Bullfrogs are one of the most common and prominent amphibians in all of North America. Originally found only in the eastern part of the North American continent, from Canada all the way down to Florida, the species now exists – and thrives – in all forty-eight states of the United States and in most of Canada, as well. Bullfrogs are among the largest of all frog species and, as is the case for many types of frogs, live in permanent freshwater habitats. These include a variety of domiciles, everything from ponds, rivers and lakes to reservoirs, ditches, irrigation canals and more. This species is able to live in both deep and shallow water. American Bullfrogs tend to live a quiet existence during daytime, when the sun is high in the sky. During these times, Bullfrogs hide under vegetation, overhanging banks at the water’s edge or they sit and rest in shallow water.
The northern leopard frog is a slender, medium sized Frog, sometimes referred to as the “meadow Frog” because of its preference for grassy habitats
It is one of about 20 siblings Species making up the Rana pipiens complex that Ranges over much of North and Central America. Members of the complex, including the northern Leopard frog, are commercially collected and shipped worldwide for laboratory use. The northern leopard frog is not considered an Obligate vernal pool species in New England primarily because it Prefers lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams for breeding.
Methods and Materials:
In order to estimate amphibian populations on the DNS property, three field techniques were used. Four pitfall traps were set up on the property, two around the pond and two in the field. No species of frogs were caught in them but there was a rat found one morning. In order to asses water quality and biodiversity Macro invertebrates were caught in the river using the kick method, the kick method is where someone will be kicking up rocks and debris while another person stands downstream holding a net underwater. Another method that was used was the net method; the net method is used in still Visual encounter surveys were conducted for four consecutive days on the pond. A one hour mark and recapture session was conducted. Water chemistry tests were conducted for Nitrates, Phosphates, Dissolved Oxygen and PH. Also there were four random Veg plot surveys that were conducted.
Tell me why we did each of these things, just like you did in sentence one.
Results:
Based on the Shannon -Wiener equation, in 2011 the diversity index was 0.98 for the pond. In 2012 the diversity index of the pond was 1.20. The diversity index for the Florida River in 2011 was 1.03 and in 2012 it was 0.78. Nitrate and phosphate levels in the river and pond were found to be high. The PH levels were Alkaline and the dissolved oxygen levels were low in the pond and normal in the river. Based on the mark recapture data the population estimate of leopard frogs was 15.
Conclusion:
During the time the experiments were being conducted at the Durango Nature Studies the leopard frog population was 15 according to the Shannon wiener equation. Captured and the bullfrog population was 1 according to the Shannon wiener equation. This is a positive result sense the bullfrogs kill the leopard frogs. The results showed the nitrate and phosphate levels were high therefore there was an algal bloom is a burst in vegetation therefore the sunlight tries to get through so the plants die then bacteria takes up all the oxygen. One reason for the Phosphate and Nitrite levels being so high is from the natural fertilizer of animal poop. Due to the Phosphate and Nitrate levels being so high the Durango Nature Studies pond is at risk for an algal bloom. To prevent an algal bloom fish could be inserted to the river upstream. A more efficient way for collecting macro invertebrates data would be using more nets in the river. The pond can be better managed for leopard frogs by putting forward a more aggressive effort to take the bullfrogs out of the pond.
Tanner Smith
Introduction:
The Durango Nature Studies Property is a local nature center that had been educating people in the four corners for 18 years. The variety of habitats found on the DNS property make this a prime spot for wildlife. With DNS’ small staff and volunteer system they serve an average of 6,000 people per year. Durango Nature Studies school program is statewide and serves students in grades Preschool and up. Durango Nature Studies received four medals for working with the community, when DNS was started in 1994 it kicked off as a non-profit organization dedicated to providing nature, science, and environmental education to the students and communities all throughout Colorado. DNS is located exactly 12 miles south of Durango Colorado on highway 550. The High Noon Rotary Club donated a footbridge that crosses the Florida River and leads to the heart of the site. In addition, school projects and eagle scouts have contributed to the build of things such as a solar water pump and a floating dock in our pond. The Nature Center is a very reliable community resource. Prior to the Durango Nature Studies' purchase, the land had been used for many things, including a gravel pit on the top 35 acres, oil and gas development on both the upper and lower portions (which are still active), and cattle grazing. The pond contains multiple species of frog’s one of which being the bullfrog. The bullfrog is not native to Colorado but was introduced by the Division of Wildlife years ago being seen as a very contribution species to our local habitats and ecosystems, and serving as a sport animal. Eventually the bullfrog’s reproduction rate was escalating a lot faster than they expected. Bullfrogs now being an evasive species, pose a threat to the DNS ecosystem. Invasive species often pose threats to other species of the habitat. This case being the bullfrogs are so territorial, they are known to push the leopard frogs out of the good hiding spots around the perimeter of the pond and force them into the open water in the pond, where they can be eaten by the bluegill fish that have been stocked the pond. The leopard frogs state status in Colorado is an “A state special concern”.
Natural History:
Bullfrogs are one of the most common and prominent amphibians in all of North America. Originally found only in the eastern part of the North American continent, from Canada all the way down to Florida, the species now exists – and thrives – in all forty-eight states of the United States and in most of Canada, as well. Bullfrogs are among the largest of all frog species and, as is the case for many types of frogs, live in permanent freshwater habitats. These include a variety of domiciles, everything from ponds, rivers and lakes to reservoirs, ditches, irrigation canals and more. This species is able to live in both deep and shallow water. American Bullfrogs tend to live a quiet existence during daytime, when the sun is high in the sky. During these times, Bullfrogs hide under vegetation, overhanging banks at the water’s edge or they sit and rest in shallow water.
The northern leopard frog is a slender, medium sized Frog, sometimes referred to as the “meadow Frog” because of its preference for grassy habitats
It is one of about 20 siblings Species making up the Rana pipiens complex that Ranges over much of North and Central America. Members of the complex, including the northern Leopard frog, are commercially collected and shipped worldwide for laboratory use. The northern leopard frog is not considered an Obligate vernal pool species in New England primarily because it Prefers lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams for breeding.
Methods and Materials:
In order to estimate amphibian populations on the DNS property, three field techniques were used. Four pitfall traps were set up on the property, two around the pond and two in the field. No species of frogs were caught in them but there was a rat found one morning. In order to asses water quality and biodiversity Macro invertebrates were caught in the river using the kick method, the kick method is where someone will be kicking up rocks and debris while another person stands downstream holding a net underwater. Another method that was used was the net method; the net method is used in still Visual encounter surveys were conducted for four consecutive days on the pond. A one hour mark and recapture session was conducted. Water chemistry tests were conducted for Nitrates, Phosphates, Dissolved Oxygen and PH. Also there were four random Veg plot surveys that were conducted.
Tell me why we did each of these things, just like you did in sentence one.
Results:
Based on the Shannon -Wiener equation, in 2011 the diversity index was 0.98 for the pond. In 2012 the diversity index of the pond was 1.20. The diversity index for the Florida River in 2011 was 1.03 and in 2012 it was 0.78. Nitrate and phosphate levels in the river and pond were found to be high. The PH levels were Alkaline and the dissolved oxygen levels were low in the pond and normal in the river. Based on the mark recapture data the population estimate of leopard frogs was 15.
Conclusion:
During the time the experiments were being conducted at the Durango Nature Studies the leopard frog population was 15 according to the Shannon wiener equation. Captured and the bullfrog population was 1 according to the Shannon wiener equation. This is a positive result sense the bullfrogs kill the leopard frogs. The results showed the nitrate and phosphate levels were high therefore there was an algal bloom is a burst in vegetation therefore the sunlight tries to get through so the plants die then bacteria takes up all the oxygen. One reason for the Phosphate and Nitrite levels being so high is from the natural fertilizer of animal poop. Due to the Phosphate and Nitrate levels being so high the Durango Nature Studies pond is at risk for an algal bloom. To prevent an algal bloom fish could be inserted to the river upstream. A more efficient way for collecting macro invertebrates data would be using more nets in the river. The pond can be better managed for leopard frogs by putting forward a more aggressive effort to take the bullfrogs out of the pond.