TY - JOUR
T1 - Classical metapopulation theory as a useful paradigm for the conservation of an endangered amphibian
AU - Heard, Geoffrey W.
AU - Scroggie, Michael P.
AU - Malone, Brian S.
PY - 2012/4/1
Y1 - 2012/4/1
N2 - Classical metapopulation theory (CMT) has proven an attractive paradigm for ecologists concerned with the conservation of aquatic-breeding amphibians, given its apparent fit with the population dynamics of these animals, and the opportunities the concept provides to assess alternate management options. Nevertheless, several authors have cautioned against uncritical application of this paradigm. We assessed the application of CMT to the conservation of the endangered growling grass frog (. Litoria raniformis) in the urbanising landscapes of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Support for five predictions developed from the basic tenets of CMT was assessed using a multi-year occupancy and mark-recapture data-set. There was congruence between all five predictions and data. Wetland occupancy was strongly influenced by the proximity of neighbouring populations ('connectivity'), but the estimated rate of dispersal between wetlands was low. Wetland occupancy was also temporally dynamic, with only a weak effect of connectivity on the probability of extinction, but a strong positive influence of connectivity on the probability of colonisation. Our work confirms that CMT provides a useful model of the dynamics of . L. raniformis in urbanising landscapes, and justifies the application of the paradigm to conservation planning for this species. We argue that CMT may prove relevant to numerous aquatic-breeding amphibians, and encourage assessment of the application of CMT to the conservation of these animals.
AB - Classical metapopulation theory (CMT) has proven an attractive paradigm for ecologists concerned with the conservation of aquatic-breeding amphibians, given its apparent fit with the population dynamics of these animals, and the opportunities the concept provides to assess alternate management options. Nevertheless, several authors have cautioned against uncritical application of this paradigm. We assessed the application of CMT to the conservation of the endangered growling grass frog (. Litoria raniformis) in the urbanising landscapes of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Support for five predictions developed from the basic tenets of CMT was assessed using a multi-year occupancy and mark-recapture data-set. There was congruence between all five predictions and data. Wetland occupancy was strongly influenced by the proximity of neighbouring populations ('connectivity'), but the estimated rate of dispersal between wetlands was low. Wetland occupancy was also temporally dynamic, with only a weak effect of connectivity on the probability of extinction, but a strong positive influence of connectivity on the probability of colonisation. Our work confirms that CMT provides a useful model of the dynamics of . L. raniformis in urbanising landscapes, and justifies the application of the paradigm to conservation planning for this species. We argue that CMT may prove relevant to numerous aquatic-breeding amphibians, and encourage assessment of the application of CMT to the conservation of these animals.
KW - Amphibian
KW - Colonisation
KW - Connectivity
KW - Extinction
KW - Metapopulation
KW - Occupancy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84858150187&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84858150187&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.biocon.2012.01.018
DO - 10.1016/j.biocon.2012.01.018
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84858150187
SN - 0006-3207
VL - 148
SP - 156
EP - 166
JO - Biological Conservation
JF - Biological Conservation
IS - 1
ER -