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Multiple Stressors and Amphibian Population Declines

EPA Grant Number: U915529
Title: Multiple Stressors and Amphibian Population Declines
Investigators: Hatch, Audrey C.
Institution: Oregon State University
EPA Project Officer: Manty, Dale
Project Period: August 1, 1999 through August 1, 2002
Project Amount: $101,925
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (1999)
Research Category: Fellowship - Life Sciences , Biology/Life Sciences , Academic Fellowships

Description:

Objective:

The overall objective of this research project is to investigate the impacts of multiple stressors on developing amphibians in the Pacific Northwest. Specifically, the research focuses on interactions among ultraviolet light (UV), nitrate fertilizer, and acidification in a laboratory experiment; UV and nitrate fertilizer in an outdoor microcosm experiment; and UV and oil pollution in an outdoor microcosm experiment. All of these environmental stressors are relevant to ephemeral ponds in the Pacific Northwest, where many species of amphibians breed.

Approach:

The experimental approach of this research integrates fully factorial laboratory and outdoor microcosm experiments with field monitoring and enclosure experiments. The investigator will work with several species that breed in western Oregon: the long-toed salamander, Ambystoma macrodactylum; the Northwestern salamander, Ambystoma gracile; the Cascades frog, Rana cascadae; the red-legged frog, Rana aurora; the Western toad, Bufo boreas; and the Pacific treefrog, Hyla regilla. Biological endpoints measured include survival, growth, development time, and predator-prey interactions. The abiotic factors of interest will be monitored in the field.

Expected Results:

A better understanding of the combined effects of several environmental factors (i.e., nitrate, UV light, and acidification) on the amphibian population in the Pacific Northwest.

Supplemental Keywords:

amphibian population decline, multiple stressors, UV radiation, nitrogen fertilizer, sublethal effects, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, OR , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Geographic Area, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Biology, amphibians, Ecological Risk Assessment, Pacific Northwest, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, nitrate fertilizer, population decline, salamanders, field monitoring, amphibian bioindicator, ultraviolet radiation, multiple stressors

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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