Spatial arrangement and metrics of freshwater coastal rock pools applied to amphibian conservation

Abstract

Coastal habitats are an ecotone between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Depressions on volcanic bedrock shores of Lake Superior form small pool habitats that are influenced to various degrees by their spatial context and that relate to differences in mechanisms of disturbance. A total of 71,931 coastal pools were mapped and measured, and amphibian occupants were identified along 48 km of shoreline at Isle Royale National Park, where coastal rock pool habitats were abundant. Generally, mean depth of pools was 0.11 m, with a mean surface area of 0.6 m 2 , although maximum measurements were 1.5 m and 378 m 2 , respectively. Three strongly defined zones occurred, with bedrock near the lake having a low slope and more numerous, smaller, and shallower pools; bedrock near the forest edge had a steeper slope and fewer, larger, and deeper pools; and a median zone occurring between. A single offshore location, Passage Island, had nearly 63% of all pool abundance. Two amphibian species were typical of coastal pools, the chorus frog ( Pseudacris triseriata ) and blue-spotted salamander ( Ambystoma laterale ), while spring peeper ( Pseudacris crucifer ) was uncommon and probably incidental to coastal habitats. These three species were significantly more abundant in mid-shore pools. Four other amphibian species were only rarely detected. Both coastal habitat density and chorus frog abundance were highest at localities directly adjacent to an international shipping lane. As a result of intriguing spatial distributions and potential for impacts from coastal pollution, chorus frog in particular reveals that coastal ecology can be unique from inland contexts and have important management implications at the land–water interface.