Record Details
Native wildlife species (Pseudacris regilla) utilizing invasive-dominated habitat in a highly disturbed ecosystem
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Native wildlife species (Pseudacris regilla) utilizing invasive-dominated habitat in a highly disturbed ecosystem |
| Names |
Epperly, Haley K.
(creator) Adams, Michael J. (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 2015-05-14 (iso8601) |
| Note | Honors Bachelor of Science (HBS) |
| Abstract | The Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris regilla) is commonly encountered throughout the Pacific Northwest and can be an indicator for ecosystem health. At each life stage P. regilla utilizes a different habitat and therefore it is important to understand habitat use at all life stages to properly manage the ecosystem, however, few studies have been conducted on the juvenile form. To determine juvenile P. regilla riparian habitat use, and thus create appropriate habitat management plans, field work must be conducted. Transect surveys were conducted at two highly disturbed ephemeral ponds with a variety of open and dense vegetative riparian habitats in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. P. regilla was found in the highest abundance in habitat shaded by a thin border of Oregon Ash around the pond perimeter, and was composed mainly of Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). This habitat provided a moist region where P. regilla could avoid desiccation and possibly predation. Rubus armeniacus is non-native and often found in highly disturbed ecosystems. Pseudacris regilla’s use of R. armeniacus as habitat suggests that P. regilla is a generalist species capable of utilizing invasive plant species to its advantage. Future research is needed comparing P. regilla habitat use in invasive-dominated verse native-dominated ephemeral ponds. |
| Genre | Thesis |
| Access Condition | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/us/ |
| Topic | Pacific Treefrogs |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/55943 |
