A Multi-scale Habitat Evaluation of Amphibians in the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley

Bottomland hardwood forests are floodplain forests distributed along
rivers and streams throughout the central and southern United States.
The largest bottomland hardwood ecosystem in North America occurred
within the Lower Mississippi River Alluvial Valley (LMAV). By the
1980.s, an estimated 80% of the former 10 million ha of bottomland
hardwood forest in the LMAV were cleared for flood control efforts,
agriculture, and development. Forests are continuing to be cleared
today at an alarming rate, and the forests that remain are highly
degraded and fragmented. In addition, these forests are subjected to
extreme hydrological alterations. Over the past few decades,
extensive efforts have begun to reforest marginal agricultural lands
within the LMAV. Restoration efforts are limited by the lack of
information concerning the habitat needs of bottomland wildlife
species. Amphibians are one group of species for which little is
known about their population status or habitat requirements in the
LMAV. Information concerning the population status of amphibians in
the LMAV is especially important since amphibians appear to be
declining worldwide. Amphibians may also be important indicators of
environmental health because of their sensitivity to land management
practices and water quality. Understanding the habitat requirements
of amphibians can be a step toward enhancing wildlife populations
within the LMAV by providing valuable information for improving land
management practices and wetland restoration techniques.

To provide an inventory of amphibians at Tensas River and Lake Ophelia
National Wildlife Refuges. In addition, to determine amphibian
distribution patterns in the LMAV as they relate to landscape habitat
features. Research results will be used to develop reports and
manuscripts, and to assist land managers in management decisions to
benefit amphibian populations.

Information was obtained from Janene Lichtenberg for this metadata.