The Impact of Abiotic Stream Factors on Larval Salamander Growth Rates
Disciplines
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Urbanization brings many changes to natural landscapes. In particular, streams can experience a suite of changes collectively described as the “urban stream syndrome.” These changes include alterations to abiotic factors such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductivity. Aquatic and semi-aquatic amphibians are particularly at risk in these altered systems. In general, urbanized streams have lower amphibian abundance and lower amphibian diversity, but the proximate mechanisms through which these changes occur are not well-characterized. One possibility is that life history (e.g., growth and survival) is altered in urban streams. To study how salamander life history may be impacted in urban streams, we measured degree of urbanization, growth rates of larval Southern Two-lined Salamanders (Eurycea cirrigera), and abiotic stream parameters in urban Atlanta streams. Our results will help us understand how the life history of a ubiquitous stream species is impacted by human-driven changes to the environment.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Todd Pierson
The Impact of Abiotic Stream Factors on Larval Salamander Growth Rates
Urbanization brings many changes to natural landscapes. In particular, streams can experience a suite of changes collectively described as the “urban stream syndrome.” These changes include alterations to abiotic factors such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductivity. Aquatic and semi-aquatic amphibians are particularly at risk in these altered systems. In general, urbanized streams have lower amphibian abundance and lower amphibian diversity, but the proximate mechanisms through which these changes occur are not well-characterized. One possibility is that life history (e.g., growth and survival) is altered in urban streams. To study how salamander life history may be impacted in urban streams, we measured degree of urbanization, growth rates of larval Southern Two-lined Salamanders (Eurycea cirrigera), and abiotic stream parameters in urban Atlanta streams. Our results will help us understand how the life history of a ubiquitous stream species is impacted by human-driven changes to the environment.