The effects of habitat fragmentation on amphibian species richness of Prince Edward Island

Abstract

We surveyed 11 forest remnants and their adjacent ponds to assess the species richness of amphibians on Prince Edward Island, Canada. By combining aquatic and terrestrial sampling methods, we detected the presence of four urodeles and five anurans in our study sites. No significant difference in species richness was found between the sites located in Prince Edward Island National Park (n = 6) and those outside the park (n = 5). The most frequently captured species in forest remnants were blue-spotted salamanders (Ambystoma laterale) and American toads (Bufo americanus) with 35.1 and 29.8% of the captures, respectively. In ponds, the most abundant and widespread species was the green frog (Rana clamitans). Red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) were captured in one site only. Species richness was not significantly associated with either forest remnant area or perimeter length. There was a significant nonlinear relationship between amphibian abundance and the perimeter length of forest remnants. Although our findings suggest paucity in species composition of amphibian communities, we did not find evidence suggesting that amphibians have declined during the last 30 years on Prince Edward Island.