Habitat evaluation for the California Red- Legged Frog at Lodi Lake Nature Area
Poster Number
9
Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
The California Red-Legged Frog or Rana aurora draytonii is a native frog species of California. As a result of urbanization, cattle grazing, introduction of bullfrogs and other human ecological impacts that lead to the loss of over 70% of Rana aurora draytonii’s natural habitat, the historic population of the California Red-Legged Frog has declined dramatically. In 1996, Rana aurora draytonii was listed as an endangered species. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a potential habitat site for the re-introduction of the California Red-Legged Frog into the Central Valley to permit gene flow between currently existing coastal and Sierra foothill populations. Rana aurora draytonii is most often associated with riparian habitat and prefer 0.7 meter deep slow moving water with dense, shrubby emergent vegetation (US Fish and Wildlife 2002). The area of study is Lodi Lake Nature Area. The dataset will include water and soil pH, electrical conductivity, biological oxygen demand, soil particle size, and a general vegetation survey. The date presented will evaluate water quality and if the substrate is adequate for burrowing tadpoles. My hypothesis is that if the ephemeral pond and slough exhibit preferable characteristics of frog breeding habitat, California Red-Legged Frogs could be successfully re-introduced in this area.
Location
Pacific Geosciences Center
Start Date
24-4-2004 9:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2004 5:00 PM
Habitat evaluation for the California Red- Legged Frog at Lodi Lake Nature Area
Pacific Geosciences Center
The California Red-Legged Frog or Rana aurora draytonii is a native frog species of California. As a result of urbanization, cattle grazing, introduction of bullfrogs and other human ecological impacts that lead to the loss of over 70% of Rana aurora draytonii’s natural habitat, the historic population of the California Red-Legged Frog has declined dramatically. In 1996, Rana aurora draytonii was listed as an endangered species. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a potential habitat site for the re-introduction of the California Red-Legged Frog into the Central Valley to permit gene flow between currently existing coastal and Sierra foothill populations. Rana aurora draytonii is most often associated with riparian habitat and prefer 0.7 meter deep slow moving water with dense, shrubby emergent vegetation (US Fish and Wildlife 2002). The area of study is Lodi Lake Nature Area. The dataset will include water and soil pH, electrical conductivity, biological oxygen demand, soil particle size, and a general vegetation survey. The date presented will evaluate water quality and if the substrate is adequate for burrowing tadpoles. My hypothesis is that if the ephemeral pond and slough exhibit preferable characteristics of frog breeding habitat, California Red-Legged Frogs could be successfully re-introduced in this area.