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Proceedings - Teaching and Learning Centre - Simon Fraser ...

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<strong>Fraser</strong> River Action Plan 3rd Research Workshop<br />

watershed will be lower than normal for these species <strong>and</strong> lower than similar populations in reference<br />

areas.<br />

• Rates or reproduction (measured as: number of breeding adults, number of eggs masses, hatching<br />

success, survival to transformation) of natural populations of R. pretiosa <strong>and</strong> R. aurora living within<br />

the Sumas watershed will be lower than normal for these species <strong>and</strong> lower than similar populations in<br />

reference areas.<br />

2. • Compared to the reference site, habitat in the Sumas watershed will be of lower quality (measured by:<br />

structural diversity of vegetation, distance to other habitats, amount of shading).<br />

• Compared to water from the reference sites, water from the Sumas watershed will have higher levels of<br />

agricultural pollutants, higher temperatures, higher nutrient levels, higher turbidity <strong>and</strong> lower dissolved<br />

oxygen.<br />

• Compared to water from the reference sites, water from the Sumas watershed will depress hatching<br />

success in the laboratory of eggs of R. pretiosa <strong>and</strong> R. aurora from populations in both the Sumas<br />

watershed <strong>and</strong> reference areas.<br />

• Compared to water from the reference sites, water form the Sumas watershed will depress hatching<br />

success in the field of eggs of R. pretiosa <strong>and</strong> R. aurora from populations in both the Sumas watershed<br />

<strong>and</strong> reference areas.<br />

• Eggs from R. pretiosa <strong>and</strong> R. aurora living within the Sumas watershed will be less sensitive to<br />

agricultural pollutants than eggs from similar populations in reference areas. Eggs of R. pretiosa will<br />

be more sensitive than those of R. aurora.<br />

3. • Eggs from R. pretiosa <strong>and</strong> R. aurora will be more sensitive to agricultural pollutants than common<br />

indicator species.<br />

Methods<br />

1. • Starting in March, roadside surveys of calling male amphibians following NAAMP protocol<br />

(3x/week/site - i.e., three nights in Sumas, three nights in control). Intensive daytime <strong>and</strong> nighttime<br />

searches for adult amphibians, tadpoles <strong>and</strong> froglets as appropriate to the season in pond <strong>and</strong><br />

surrounding habitat. Note numbers found per unit effort. On adults, use mark-recapture (toe clipping)<br />

<strong>and</strong> possibly age <strong>and</strong> genetic analyses (save toe-clip fragments) to assess community size <strong>and</strong><br />

structure; measure length <strong>and</strong> mass to calculate condition indices; blood sample population for enzyme<br />

<strong>and</strong> hormonal biomarkers. Record any deformities found (March to July/August).<br />

• Starting in March, intensive daytime pond searches for egg masses, etc. Frequently during breeding<br />

season (March to May).<br />

2. • Starting in March, once monthly measurement of physical parameters of habitat (until winter).<br />

Measure character <strong>and</strong> distances to nearby habitat elements (roads, woodlots, other ponds, crops),<br />

surface area, volume, maximum depth, slope, shore perimeter only once (June/July). Measure<br />

perimeter buffer characters (%, width, height, composition), perimeter crop characters (composition,<br />

%, pesticides used, other critical crop practices), predators, aquatic vegetation monthly (March to<br />

October).<br />

• Starting in March, periodic samples of water from Sumas <strong>and</strong> control sites. Special emphasis on times<br />

when spray <strong>and</strong>/or fertilization events are expected (before <strong>and</strong> after samples), <strong>and</strong> during period of<br />

hatching success trials (daily for two weeks). Continuing weekly until amphibian transformation, if<br />

possible. Measure minimum <strong>and</strong> maximum temperatures (daily or weekly), pesticide residues levels in<br />

water <strong>and</strong> biota, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, color, turbidity, dissolved inorganic <strong>and</strong> organic<br />

carbon, nitrites, nitrates, ammonia, total Kjedahl nitrogen, <strong>and</strong> total phosphorus (March to<br />

July/August).<br />

Page 172

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