Cattle grazing and conservation of a meadow-dependent amphibian species in the Sierra Nevada.

PloS One
Leslie M RocheKenneth W Tate

Abstract

World-wide population declines have sharpened concern for amphibian conservation on working landscapes. Across the Sierra Nevada's national forest lands, where almost half of native amphibian species are considered at risk, permitted livestock grazing is a notably controversial agricultural activity. Cattle (Bos taurus) grazing is thought to degrade the quality, and thus reduce occupancy, of meadow breeding habitat for amphibian species of concern such as the endemic Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus [ = Bufo] canorus). However, there is currently little quantitative information correlating cattle grazing intensity, meadow breeding habitat quality, and toad use of meadow habitat. We surveyed biotic and abiotic factors influencing cattle utilization and toad occupancy across 24 Sierra Nevada meadows to establish these correlations and inform conservation planning efforts. We utilized both traditional regression models and Bayesian structural equation modeling to investigate potential drivers of meadow habitat use by cattle and Yosemite toads. Cattle use was negatively related to meadow wetness, while toad occupancy was positively related. In mid and late season (mid July-mid September) grazing periods, cattle selected for higher forage qu...Continue Reading

References

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Sep 20, 2007·The American Naturalist·T Michael AndersonSamuel J McNaughton
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Citations

Nov 8, 2013·Ecology and Evolution·Marit L WilkersonTruman P Young
Jul 20, 2019·Ecological Applications : a Publication of the Ecological Society of America·Hunter J HowellChristopher A Searcy
Jan 29, 2020·Environmental Entomology·Jerry S ColeMatthew Johnson
Jun 4, 2017·Environmental Management·Kristin M OlesLeslie M Roche

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Software Mentioned

R package rjags
OpenBUGS

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