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1 December 2011 Anurans as Biological Indicators of Restoration Success in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem
Alicia D. Dixon, William R. Cox, Edwin M. Everham, David W. Ceilley
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Abstract

The Picayune Strand Restoration Project is being conducted as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to restore hydrology and habitat in Southwest Florida. This study evaluated the success of the restoration activities by examining anuran species richness and relative abundance in relation to various restoration treatments, which included restored areas, un-restored areas, and natural wetlands. Anuran observations were conducted using nocturnal audible call surveys and dip netting. Univariate results indicated that: the lowest species richness and relative abundance values occurred within the un-restored areas, richness significantly increased in all restored areas relative to un-restored areas, abundance increased in some restored areas but not others, and highest richness and abundance were documented in the natural wetlands. Multivariate analysis confirmed these patterns and also indicated that the anuran species assemblages were significantly different between restoration treatments. Furthermore, the presence or absence of Lithobates sphenocephalus utricularius (Southern Leopard Frog), Gastrophryne carolinensis (Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad), and Hyla femoralis (Pine Woods Treefrog) may be used to document restoration success or hydrologic disturbance, respectively. These findings suggest that the restoration activities can be effective and that anurans could be used as performance measures of restoration success.

Alicia D. Dixon, William R. Cox, Edwin M. Everham, and David W. Ceilley "Anurans as Biological Indicators of Restoration Success in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem," Southeastern Naturalist 10(4), 629-646, (1 December 2011). https://doi.org/10.1656/058.010.0404
Published: 1 December 2011
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