Using well water to increase hydroperiod as a management option for pond-breeding amphibians
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Published source details
Seigel R.A., Dinsmore A. & Richter S.C. (2006) Using well water to increase hydroperiod as a management option for pond-breeding amphibians. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 34, 1022–1027.
Published source details Seigel R.A., Dinsmore A. & Richter S.C. (2006) Using well water to increase hydroperiod as a management option for pond-breeding amphibians. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 34, 1022–1027.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Regulate water levels Action Link |
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Regulate water levels
A before-and-after study in 2001 of a pond in southern Mississippi, USA (Seigel, Dinsmore & Richter 2006) found that maintaining the water level to stop the pond drying resulted in the first successful breeding by dusky gopher frog Rana sevosa for three years. Complete death of the larvae from the 36 egg masses laid in March was avoided as rather than drying by mid-May, water levels were successfully maintained until heavy rainfall in June. Metamorphs were produced for the first time since 1998, although at 130, numbers were lower than in 1997 (221) and 1998 (2,248). Over seven weeks from mid-April 2001, 366,000 litres of water was pumped from three nearby wells to stop the 440 m circumference pond drying. One of the wells was dug specifically, 50 m from the pond. Irrigation hoses and tanker trucks were used to bring in water.
(Summarised by: Rebecca K Smith)
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