Green Frogs Show Reduced Foraging Success in Habitats Invaded by Japanese knotweed |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">John?C?MaerzEmail author Bernd?Blossey Victoria?Nuzzo |
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Institution: | (1) Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, NY, 14853-3001, Ithaca;(2) Natural Area Consultants, 1 West Hill School Rd., 13835, NY, Richford;(3) Department of Natural Resources, Fernow Hall Cornell University, 14853-3001, NY, Ithaca |
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Abstract: | Habitat loss is causing amphibian population declines worldwide, so there is increased attention to forces that degrade remaining
habitats. Terrestrial habitats surrounding wetlands are critical foraging areas for temperate anurans. We investigated plant
community changes in two old fields invaded by Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and the foraging success of Green frogs (Rana clamitans) in invaded and non-invaded portions of those fields. Within each field, vegetation data were recorded in quadrats located
along two transects bisecting the invasion fronts. We placed frogs in ‘foraging buckets’ along transects and measured their
change in mass over a 38 h period. There were significant changes in vegetation structure and composition associated with
Japanese knotweed invasion. Diverse assemblages of native plants that covered non-invaded plots were absent from areas invaded
by Japanese knotweed. There was also a significant change in vegetation architecture between invaded and non-invaded habitats.
Change in frog mass declined significantly along transects, with most frogs in non-invaded plots gaining mass and no frogs
in invaded plots gaining mass. Most frogs from non-invaded plots but only two from invaded plots defecated shortly after removal
from foraging buckets (verification of recent feeding). We hypothesize that Japanese knotweed invasions degrade terrestrial
habitat quality for frogs by indirectly reducing arthropod abundance. Nonnative plant invasions may be another factor contributing
to amphibian population declines. |
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Keywords: | Fallopia japonica Invasive plants Landscape complementation Rana clamitans |
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