Habitat Selection by a Threatened Desert Amphibian

Aim. Habitat degradation and fragmentation are major drivers of amphibian
declines. The loss of environmental features that allow for movement
between water sources may be particularly detrimental for amphibians in
arid environments.  Climate changes will increase the importance
of microhabitats to amphibians. Enhancing areas to facilitate movement may
be a necessary conservation strategy for many animal species that depend
on wetlands, including federally-threatened Chiricahua leopard frogs
(Lithobates chiricahuensis).  Habitat preferences of
this frog species are not well understood.  We sought to
better understand fine-scale habitat selection, to inform conservation of
Chiricahua leopard frogs. Location. We conducted our study on the Ladder
Ranch, a privately-owned working bison ranch in New Mexico, USA that
supports a large proportion of the remaining Chiricahua leopard frogs in
the state. Methods. We attached radio transmitters to 44 frogs during
summer 2014.  We located each frog daily for up to 8
weeks (median = 30 days). We assessed fine-scale habitat selection by
comparing characteristics at each frog location and a random location 5
meters away using conditional logistic regression.  Results.
Frogs preferred features that likely reduce desiccation, even after
accounting for the presence of water.  Frogs selected
areas with more low-lying cover, especially aquatic vegetation and woody
debris, a tree overstory, and a mud substrate.  Main Conclusions.
We recommend managing potential movement corridors for Chiricahua leopard
frogs by ensuring the presence of muddy creek bottoms, woody debris,
riparian overstory, low-lying ground cover, and
pools.  Microclimates created by these features seem
especially valuable given warming temperatures and modified precipitation
regimes, resulting in decreased surface water, soil moisture, and
vegetation cover.  Retaining or creating preferred
habitat features and microclimates in areas between water sources may
increase connectivity among isolated populations of Chiricahua leopard
frogs and could improve persistence and recovery of other water-obligate
species in arid landscapes.