Local and landscape factors affecting tadpole diversity in subtropical Atlantic Forest streams

• Published in: Austral ecology 2019-12, Vol.44 (8), p.1311-1321
• Main Authors: Anciutti, Maria Aparecida Cristo, Bastiani, Veluma Ialú Molinari De, Dal Magro, Jacir, Carasek, Fabio Luiz, Baldissera, Ronei, Lucas, Elaine Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural management; Agriculture; amphibian; Amphibians; Biodiversity; Buffers; community; conservation; Dissolved oxygen; Electrical resistivity; Environmental management; Forests; Land cover; Land use; Landscape; Metal concentrations; modified landscape; pH effects; Regional analysis; Reptiles & amphibians; Species; Streams; tropical streams; Water analysis; Water sampling; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 1442-9985; 1442-9993
• DOI: 10.1111/aec.12775

Analysing which environmental features influence structure of communities is important to establish management and conservation priorities for regional biodiversity. In this study, we analysed the structure of amphibian larval assemblages in southern Brazilian streams and their relationships with local and landscape factors. We sampled tadpoles in 18 streams between November 2014 and February 2015. We collected pH, electric conductivity, temperature and dissolved oxygen in streams, and performed laboratory analyses to estimate metal concentrations in water samples. We collected metrics describing landscape factors, such as the land cover classification of a set of buffers around the streams. We found eight amphibian species in total. Tadpole richness was higher in streams with greater cover of agriculture in the 50 and 100 m buffers, but it was also lower in streams with greater cover of buildings in the 100 m buffer. Highest abundance was also found in streams with greater dissolved oxygen and larger areas of dams in the 250 m buffer, but it was lower in streams with larger areas of forests in the 500 m buffer. The presence of agriculture in the immediate surroundings of streams can increase richness of amphibians due to the occupation by open‐habitat species. On the other hand, the low number of rheophilic species suggests that soil use may restrict permanence of these species. in Portuguese is available with online material. Resumo Analisar a influência das características ambientais na estrutura das comunidades locais é importante para estabelecer prioridades regionais de manejo e conservação da biodiversidade. Neste estudo, nós analisamos a estrutura de taxocenoses de girinos em riachos na região sul do Brasil e suas relações com os fatores locais e da paisagem. Nós amostramos girinos em 18 riachos independentes entre si, no período de novembro de 2014 a fevereiro de 2015. Nós registramos o pH, condutividade elétrica, temperatura e oxigênio dissolvido na água dos riachos durante as amostragens em campo e a concentração de metais pesados presentes em amostras de água, em laboratório. Nós analisamos os elementos da paisagem por meio da classificação do uso e ocupação do solo do entorno dos riachos, utilizando um conjunto de buffers. Nós registramos oito espécies de anfíbios. A riqueza de espécies foi maior em riachos inseridos em áreas com maior cobertura agrícola em buffers de 50 e 100 m, e menor em riachos inseridos em áreas com maior cobertura de edi