Research Symposium

BIO

I am a freshman from St. Louis, Missouri. I have long been interested in the outdoors and natural world. I plan to get involved with water management for my eventual career and have enjoyed this research program for the opportunity to do this quality assessment and intern with Conservation Pathways!

Assessing Wetland Condition Through Plant and Amphibian Community Surveys

Abstract

Assessing the quality of different environments is essential to preserving natural habitats, especially wetlands, which have been declining for decades. By creating a methodology for evaluating the quality of a wetland, it is possible to monitor its condition and significantly contribute to the restoration and preservation of the environment. We focused on constructing a method to assess wetland quality through the plant and amphibian communities found at Birdsong Nature Center. We conducted a literature search to gather various approaches to evaluating wetland quality before concentrating on plants and amphibians. We cataloged the plants found in the wetland and classified them based on frequency, proximity to water, and vegetation layer. This classification helps us identify the diversity and species richness of the plants in the wetland and determine whether they are native or invasive. To assess the amphibian species in the wetlands, we employed dipnetting techniques, conducting 50 one-meter sweeps around each pond and setting funnel traps at six equidistant spots along the pond's edge. We placed the traps at an appropriate depth to facilitate easy retrieval while preventing overheating of the amphibians (~ 0.5 m). Using each method, we recorded the species and number of amphibians found in each pond. The results of our research will provide valuable insights into the health of wetlands and provide clear direction for what is needed to maintain or improve the quality of the wetlands.

Keywords: wetland condition amphibians