Great Lakes wetlands as amphibian habitats: A review

Abstract

Amphibians are highly adapted for life in wetland habitats. They form a major component of wetland faunas, and being both prey and predator, they are important in ecosystem functioning. Wetlands provide aquatic habitats that amphibians require for breeding, development, foraging, hibernation and refuge, and they form an interface with essential adjacent upland habitat. The size and type of wetlands as well as their spatial configuration and local structural characteristics are important features of these habitats for amphibian use. Because of their dependence on water, use of both aquatic and terrestrial habitat, permeable skin, and other biological characteristics, amphibians are considered to be excellent indicators of ecosystem health. Amphibians have a tremendous diversity of natural history characteristics and species differ in their patterns of habitat and microhabitat selection. Over 30 species of amphibians occur in wetlands within the Great Lakes Basin and an increasing trend in species richness exists from north to south across the region. Since European settlement, this region has lost over 50% of its wetlands. Loss rates of coastal and inland wetlands exceed 90% in some areas. Many restoration efforts are underway across the region but losses still exceed gains. No species have been extirpated from the entire basin but numerous local extirpations have occurred. However, nearly half of the species are officially designated as being of conservation concern somewhere in the basin. A more realistic estimate suggests that at least 2/3 of species are of concern. Habitat loss is reported as the primary cause of decline for 60% of species and habitat degradation by pollution is cited for 43% of the fauna. Considering the extent of wetland loss across the basin it seems reasonable to assume a similar magnitude of amphibian population loss. The current conservation status of amphibians indicates that Great Lakes wetlands are unhealthy ecosystems.