RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAKESHORE DEVELOPMENT AND ANURAN POPULATIONS IN PORTAGE COUNTY, WISCONSIN

Lakeshore development is increasingly common on inland lakes and may significantly impact anuran populations dependent on shoreline habitat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible impacts of lakeshore development in Portage County, Wisconsin on local anuran populations. Breeding call surveys were conducted at 14 study lakes from April to July 2003 to examine species diversity in relation to 16 habitat, land use, and water quality variables. Additionally, visual encounter surveys were conducted at three of the study lakes to examine green frog (Rana clamitans) use in relation to 10 microhabitat variables. A significant positive relationship was found between anuran diversity and agricultural land use (p=0.033, r=0.359), possibly due to the increase in agriculture in less urban areas. Rana clamitans selected areas with emergent vegetation (p<0.001) and avoided open water (p<0.001). Lakeshore development appears to be affecting anuran populations through microhabitat and landscape-level alterations.