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