Date of Award

2021

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Awarded

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biological Sciences

College

Science and Mathematics

Faculty Advisor

Smith, Matthew

Description

As amphibians continue to decline, conservation efforts are a necessity in management plans. It is essential to determine the correlation between water characteristics, stress, and habitat alteration with anuran losses. Large portions of diverse wetlands across the state of North Dakota are being lost to agriculture at unprecedented rates and as a result, habitat for anurans is declining. Larval and visual encounter surveys were conducted to distinguish the essential habitat characteristics that are crucial during each stage of amphibian reproduction. In addition to collection of amphibian data, macro-and micro-habitat data were recorded at each site. Captured individuals had their blood drawn and water-borne corticosterone samples collected to assess this environmental stress. This study found that surrounding developed area impacts larval suitability of a habitat and stress levels. It provides an updated suitability model and baseline levels of corticosterone and white cell profiles for a native anuran species.

Rights

NDSU policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/32693

Download

Share

COinS