LE3 .A278 2012

2012

Herman, Tom

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

Human activity in western Ecuador is extensive in the form of logging and slash-and-burn agriculture, however the impacts of these activities on amphibian diversity is almost completely unknown. During a nine-month study in the Bilsa Biological Station situated in the province of Esmeraldas, Ecuador I attempted to evaluate the impacts of these activities. Amphibian diversity was estimated using visual encounter surveys along transects in pristine sites (forest and river habitat that has no history of human activities) and historically disturbed sites (forest and river habitat that was logged between 1989 and 1995) as well as along roads with varying levels of ongoing human activity. The results of this study indicate that the influence of disturbance on the diversity and composition of amphibian assemblages in the Bilsa Biological Station varies with habitat. Amphibian assemblages along rivers were the richest as well as the least impacted by human activity. Diversity and species richness were lower in secondary than in primary forest suggesting that amphibian assemblages in interior forest habitat are more vulnerable to disturbances caused by logging. Road habitat around Bilsa harboured a very different amphibian assemblage from that of forest and river habitats. The results of this study show that amphibian assemblages vary markedly in vulnerability to disturbances by human activity; recognising these differences is critical for developing land management plans that promote amphibian diversity in north western Ecuador.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:898