Global Change Impacts on Isolated Wetlands and Pond Breeding Amphibians

wetland restoration

Many amphibians in the Southeastern United States rely on open canopied ephemeral wetlands that have an abundant herbaceous component. This open grassy state is vital for amphibian survival and growth and was historically maintained through regular fire disturbance ignited by dry summer thunderstorms. These fires kill encroaching woody plants and promote herbaceous growth. However, from nearly a century of anthropogenic fire suppression, many of these wetlands have shifted to a canopy closed state that suppresses herbaceous growth, consumes large amounts of water therefore making the wetlands drier, and decreases the flammability of these systems. To improve amphibian breeding habitat, our lab studies the efficacy of wetland restoration techniques by testing various canopy and leaf litter treatments. We analyze the effects of these treatments by measuring responses of the vegetative and amphibian community as well as changes in water chemistry over time. Through this work, we hope to better understand restoration trajectories using common and novel techniques that will inform conservation practices for these important wetland communities.