Changes in herpetofauna resulting from ditching of cypress ponds in coastal plains flatwoods

• Published in: Forest ecology and management Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 17 - 29
• Main Authors: Vickers, Charles R., Harris, Larry D., Swindel, Benee F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.01.1985; Elsevier
• Subjects: Amphibia; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Reptilia; Vertebrata; USA, Florida; Species diversity; Vertebrata; Pond; United States; Amphibia; Dredging; Reptilia; Florida; Wetland; Species richness
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-1127(85)90056-8

Three ditched and three unditched cypress ponds in north Florida were surveyed to assess the effects of ditching on their herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles). Predominantly aquatic and semi-aquatic amphibians were captured. Unditched ponds had more persistent surface water and more consistent water depths than ditched ponds. No differences in mean numbers of individuals, numbers of species, or species diversity were detected between ditched and unditched ponds. However, species richness was reduced in ditched ponds in dry weather and relative abundances of species in the two types of ponds were different: more terrestrial species were associated with ditched ponds; more aquatic species were associated with unditched ponds. Herpetofauna were most abundant and species richness was greatest along pond edges.