Six-year demographic study reveals threat of stochastic extinction for remnant populations of a threatened amphibian

Title
Six-year demographic study reveals threat of stochastic extinction for remnant populations of a threatened amphibian
Publication Date
2014-04
Author(s)
Pickett, Evan John
Stockwell, Michelle Pirrie
Bower, Deborah Sheena
Pollard, Carla Jean
Garnham, James Ian
Clulow, John
Mahony, Michael Joseph
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
Place of publication
Australia
DOI
10.1111/aec.12080
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/26878
Abstract
Sustained demographic studies are essential for early detection of species decline in time for effective management response. A paucity of such background data hindered the potential for successful conservation during the global amphibian decline and remains problematic today. The current study analysed 6 years of mark-recapture data to determine the vital demographic rates in three habitat precincts of the threatened frog, Litoria aurea (Hylidae) and to understand the underlying causes of variability in population size. Variability in population size of L. aurea was similar to many pond-breeding species; however this level of fluctuation is rare among threatened amphibians. Highly variable populations are at greater risk of local extinction and the low level of connectivity between L. aurea populations means they are at a greater risk of further decline due to stochastic extinction events and incapacity to recolonize distant habitat. We recommend that management of this species should encourage recolonization through creation of habitat corridors and reintroduction of L. aurea to areas where stochastic extinction events are suspected.
Link
Citation
Austral Ecology, 39(2), p. 244-253
ISSN
1442-9993
1442-9985
Start page
244
End page
253

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