Local and landscape factors affecting tadpole diversity in subtropical Atlantic Forest streams
2019
Analysing which environmental features influence structure of communities is important to establish management and conservation priorities for regional biodiversity. In this study, we analysed the structure of amphibian larval assemblages in southern Brazilian streams and their relationships with local and landscape factors. We sampled tadpoles in 18 streams between November 2014 and February 2015. We collected pH, electric conductivity, temperature and dissolved oxygen in streams, and performed laboratory analyses to estimate metal concentrations in water samples. We collected metrics describing landscape factors, such as the land cover classification of a set of buffers around the streams. We found eight amphibian species in total. Tadpole richness was higher in streams with greater cover of agriculture in the 50 and 100 m buffers, but it was also lower in streams with greater cover of buildings in the 100 m buffer. Highest abundance was also found in streams with greater dissolved oxygen and larger areas of dams in the 250 m buffer, but it was lower in streams with larger areas of forests in the 500 m buffer. The presence of agriculture in the immediate surroundings of streams can increase richness of amphibians due to the occupation by open‐habitat species. On the other hand, the low number of rheophilic species suggests that soil use may restrict permanence of these species. Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
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