RIPARIAN PRAIRIE
RESTORATION AND
INTRODUCTION OF THE
EASTERN SPADEFOOT
TOAD
April 24, 2014
A riparian restoration and introduction of an endangered
amphibian species is proposed in detail at a site managed
by the Athens Conservancy in Athens County, Ohio.
(Photo credit: ODNR, 2012)
Caleb Hawkins, MS Candidate in Environmental
Studies;and Bill Rucker, MS Candidate,
Department of Environmental and Plant Biology,
Ohio University;Athens, OH 45701
For: Restoration Ecology with Dr. Jared DeForest
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 2
Site Description ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Management Plan ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Measures of Success .................................................................................................................................. 13
Forecasting................................................................................................................................................. 14
References…………………………………………………………………………………………...……15
Timeline……………………………………………………………………………….......………………18
Budget……………………………………………………………………………………………….……20
Executive Summary:
A 10 hectare riparian zone is restored to native tall grass prairie and two vernal ponds are
constructed to introduce a breeding population of the endangered Eastern Spadefoot toad
(Scaphiopus holbrooki). The restoration will commence on the Baker Easement (managed by the
Athens Conservancy) southeast of Athens, OH in the spring of 2015, and will be done in
collaboration with the OEPA, ODNR, and Ohio University. The objectives of this project are to:
1) introduce a breeding population of the Eastern Spadefoot toad to two constructed vernal pools
and (2) increase biodiversity in a sand prairie riparian ecosystem. In order to achieve these goals,
the restoration site is monitored to establish baseline amphibian and vegetative data, the site is
plowed to prepare a seed bed, two vernal ponds (30 ft. x 40 ft.) are constructed with synthetic
liners, prairie species are planted, and monitoring is performed to observe changes in species and
community composition. The Eastern Spadefoot toad population is introduced from a known
breeding site near Coolville, Ohio after heavy rainfall events occur. A portion of the reference
population (in Coolville) is used to start a breeding population on the Baker Easement. Tadpoles
will be transported in buckets and released into vernal pools accordingly. This project takes place
from spring 2015 to spring 2018, depending on when breeding occurs. This restoration and
introduction has numerous benefits to local stakeholders and the scientific community. The total
cost of the project is $13,380.25.
1
Introduction:
Riparian zones integrate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and contain a diverse array of
landforms, communities, and microhabitats (Gregory et al., 1991). These dynamic ecosystems
provide heterogeneous habitats dominated by high energy flood regimes for a wide diversity of
plants and wildlife (Naiman, 2010). Riparian zones provide a variety of ecosystem services that
include: relief of downstream flooding, restoring groundwater aquifers, promoting high primary
and secondary productivity, exporting organic matter to streams, producing timber products,
providing habitat and corridors for plants and animals, producing organic matter for aquatic food
webs, increasing the capacity to recycle nutrients, providing buffer zones for water quality,
sequestering metals and contaminants, and providing a sink for chemical compounds (Sharitz et
al, 1992; Brinson et al. 1981). Moreover, riparian buffer zones of various widths and vegetation
types are effective at removing dissolved nitrogen from surface waters (USEPA, 2007).
Riparian zones throughout the world contain high levels of plant and animal diversity
(Naiman, 2010). However, riparian ecosystems are threatened by a mosaic of factors that
include: dams, pollution, grazing, land use change, timber harvesting, road construction, water
diversion, recreation, mining, loss of native vegetation, fire suppression, beavers, insects,
disease, salinity, invasive species, and climate change (Poff et al., 2011). Almost all riparian
areas in the United States exhibit signs of degradation (Hoorman and McCutcheon, Ohio State
University Extension, n.d.) and riparian areas in southeast Ohio are no different.
Within these riparian areas is habitat that is essential to amphibian and reptile populations
(Robeiro et al, 2012; British Columbia Ministry of Forests, 1998). The loss and fragmentation of
has contributed to the endangerment of the Eastern Spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus holbrookii)
(Conservation Commission of Missouri, 2014; Dr. Scott Moody, Pers. Comm. April 2014),
which is Ohio’s only endangered toad (ODNR, 2012). Inhabiting alluvial soils of the Hocking
River Valley, the Eastern Spadefoot toad is a rare and poorly understood amphibian native to the
southeast and mid-Atlantic (University of Georgia, n.d.). The most recent available
documentation of Spadefoot toad populations have been reported in 7 counties in Ohio, mostly in
the southeast and central east part of the state: Athens, Meigs, Morgan, Washington, Scioto,
Coshocton and Tuscarawas (Davis, 2013). Dr. Scott Moody, a professor in amphibian taxonomy
and ecology at Ohio University, has indicated that there is a correlation between occurrences of
Spadefoot toad populations with floodplain substrates of the Chagrin loam.
The primary focus of this restoration proposal is to introduce a breeding population of the
2
Spadefoot toad into its inferred favorite ecological habitat on Chagrin loam soils. We will
accomplish this by constructing two large (~90 m2) vernal ponds on a 5 ha. area that is part of the
Baker Easement (Figure 1). The Baker Easement is a conservation and trail easement
bequeathed for public use by the Baker sisters, daughters of Dr. John C. Baker, a past president
of Ohio University. However, it is largely managed by the Athens Conservancy and this project
will be done in collaboration with the organization.
Fig. 1: Map of the Baker Easement just east of the city of Athens and Strouds Run State Park. Note that the wedge
of land between SR 50 and the Hocking River is where the proposed project site will be located (map prepared by
John Knouse from the Athens Conservancy).
The secondary goal of this restoration is to restore part of the historic vegetation type
surrounding the constructed ponds. Habitat fragmentation and the attendant loss of vegetation
caused by prior land use activities has undoubtedly impacted biodiversity in the area. Nonnative plants have evidently established at this site particularly since it is located south of SR50,
especially around the edges near the roads. But it is not just the plant communities that have
been affected. For example, it is likely that insect, bird and small mammal populations that
utilize the riparian zone along this stretch of the river have been negatively impacted.
To remedy this, we will plow a rectangular, 5 ha. area to surround the constructed vernal
ponds and plant a native prairie seed mix. The restored prairie will serve 4 purposes - it may: 1)
provide improved habitat for the Eastern Spadefoot toad since that may have been the vegetative
type in which the toad evolved; 2) promote further diversification of pollinators and other
insects, birds and other small mammals; 3) provide a potential educational area or land lab for
3
local schools, universities, and watershed groups; and 4) increase the property bequest value for
the Athens Conservancy.
Site Description:
This project focuses on a 5 hectare riparian zone by the Hocking River east of Athens,
Ohio located in the Western Allegheny Plateau Ecoregion (Figure 2 and 3). The riparian zone on
the north side of the Hocking River begins just northeast of the bridge on South Canaan Road
(SR24A). In general, soils along broad floodplains such as the Hocking River are silty loams of
fluvial and alluvial origin. The soil unit within the proposed site is the Chagrin loam, which is
the first terrace above the normal floodplain, and it is rarely flooded (designated Cd by ODNR,
1985). The Chagrin loam is friable with moderate permeability, high water capacity, slow runoff
and good tilth (ODNR, 1985). Figures 2 and 3 are scaled aerial photographs of the terrain and
approximate site locations for the vernal ponds and restored prairie area.
Figure 2: The area inside the box is a zoomed out aerial photo of the Baker Easement property.
4
Figure 3: The triangular wedge is the area within which the vernal ponds and surrounding restored prairie are
located.
Project Description:
The objectives of this project are two-fold:
1) Introduce a breeding population of Eastern Spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus
holbrookii) into two constructed vernal pools in a riparian zone; and
2) Encourage biodiversity by planting a tall grass sand prairie riparian zone
surrounding the vernal pond sites.
Management Plan:
The prairie restoration and reintroduction project will be conducted in seven phases: (1)
Survey the amphibian community at the reference site that we collect tadpoles from and a at the
restoration site to see if there are any Spadefoot toads already, (2) seed bed preparation, (3)
vernal pond construction, (4) plant native prairie seed, (5) confirm breeding population at
reference site (6) introduce Eastern Spadefoot toad and (7) monitor and evaluate (Figure 4)1.
1
Monitoring and Evaluation is discussed in a separate section.
5
Survey of
Reference
and
restoration
site
Seed bed
preparation
Spring 2014
Vernal pond
construction
Prarie seed
planting
Fall 2014
Sping 2015
Confirmation
of breeding
population at
reference site
Springsummer
(2016-2018)
Spadefoot
Introduction
at
Restoration
Site Springsummer
(2016-2018)
Monitoring
and
Evaluation
(post Eastern
spadefoot
introduction)
Figure 4: Project timeline
Phase I: Surveys of Amphibian populations2
In order to determine baseline Amphibian community data at the restoration site and the
reference Eastern Spadefoot population site, passive trap monitoring techniques will be
employed during one-month period before seedbed preparation. Passive traps are very effective at
determining distributions and abundances of amphibians temporally and spatially (Dodd, 2010). In
some cases, drift fences are used to intercept breeding population as they migrate from terrestrial
habitats to aquatic breeding locations (Dodd, 2010). As this would disturb breeding populations at
both the reference site and restoration, this method will not be employed. Instead, the drift fences will
be deployed throughout the riparian zone in terrestrial habitats (Figure 5).
Deploying the drift nets and passive traps will enable project managers to compare
amphibian abundance between the reference site and the restoration site (Dodd, 2010) and possibly to
test other hypotheses about Spadefoot toad ecology, physiology, or any other testable feature of the
site. Drift fences will be used in conjunction with pitfall traps that can be constructed from large
plastic buckets (Figure 6). Drift fences and pitfall traps will be comparable between sites in order to
eliminate sampling bias. We will employ drift fences and bucket traps at both sites for 1-month in
order to establish baseline data and measure success. Post-restoration monitoring will also occur for
one month in the spring for three years. The traps will need to be monitored daily and some water
should be kept in the buckets in order to limit mortality in the traps (Dodd, 2010). Traps in both
locations will be distributed in spatial arrays that are appropriate to the geographic area and
representative of habitat.
2
Full schedule of activities shown in Table 2
6
Figure 5: Example of drift fence array and placement in two types of habitat (Dodd, 2012). This example shows 12
pitfall traps with 8 funnel traps. We will only use pitfall traps because they are effective and less expensive than
funnel traps.
Figure 6: Basic example of pitfall and drift fence design (http://www.yoal.net/cv/herp/imagens/figura4.jpg)
Phase II: Seed Bed Preparation
The proposed site on the Baker Easement is flat and only has small trees of the genus
Prunus, Pyrus, and the native persimmon, Diospyros virginiana. We will keep any existing trees
there and it will be easy to situate the ponds in areas where these species are not present. When
we disk the remainder of the field, we will steer around the trees (Figure 7) (See Appendix 1 for
two site photos).
7
Figure 7: 5 hectare area around vernal pools that will be plowed
We expect a heavy seed bank from existing vegetation. We will not be able to control the
germination of this seed bank, many of which are likely to be non-native invasive species. One
of the most abundant ones is a non-native species of Lespedeza, a bush clover (Dr. Phil Cantino,
Pers. Comm. April 2014), without the use of herbicide or burning. However, because the Athens
Conservancy is opposed to herbicide use and because of the possible difficulties of acquiring
permits for prescribed burning, we are opting to cultivate the site to prepare the seedbed for
planting with the native prairie seed mix. In addition to the benefits outlined in the introduction
regarding restoring native vegetation, disking and planting with the native prairie mix will enable
direct competition with the non-native invasive species and, consequently, reduce their spread.
Phase III: Vernal pond construction
Vernal pond construction will be performed following instruction from the USDA Forest
Service guide entitled “A guide to creating vernal ponds” (2002). Proper permits will be obtained
from the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Ohio Environmental Protection Area, and the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources. The ponds will be constructed using a synthetic liner method
and will have dimensions of 30 ft. x 40 ft. The synthetic liner method was chosen because the
substrate at the site is too permeable to hold water for sufficient amounts of time to create vernal
pools. A dozer will be used to remove topsoil and make a depression in the soil that is no more
than 2 ft. deep. Geotextile fabric will be placed above and below the synthetic liner in order to
protect the liner from being punctured. After the liner is secured with stakes, a dozer will be used
to cover the liner with soil. Within two-years the vernal ponds will look like natural features of
8
the landscape (Figure 8).
Figure 8: Example of possible vernal pond sites and drift fence array placement.
Phase IV: Planting of prairie seed mix
The strategy to develop the planting plan was to first compile a list of native indicator
species for sandy loam prairies in southeast Ohio. Fortunately, there is a blog post by an Athens
County naturalist and professor, who has identified 10’s of species of grasses and wildflowers
from the area that are moderately dry sandy soils. The web site can be explored at
https://www.blogger.com/profile/07482657904308866348)
Referencing this list, a mix was chosen that had as many species in common with this
recommended list as possible. The seed mix also was recommended for relatively dry, sandy
soils and near areas that are prone to disturbance, like this site is – both infrequent but
intermittent flooding and weed seed drifting into the site by road traffic.
Phase V: Confirmation of breeding at reference site
During the spring of 2015, 2016, and/or 2017, a reference site where a known population
of Eastern Spadefoot toad exists near Coolville, Ohio will be monitored after heavy rainfall
events to see if breeding is taking place. If breeding is confirmed, then the sixth phase of the
project will be initiated.
9
Phase VI: Eastern Spadefoot Introduction
There are two important characteristics of the Eastern Spadefoot toad lifecycle that we
must take into consideration to implement this project successfully. First, Spadefoot toad is an
‘explosive breeder’ and breeding behavior is triggered by both a drop in barometric pressure and
heavy rainfall that creates temporary pools of water (pools need to last at least 3-4 weeks until
fertilization, hatching, tadpole stage and metamorphosis into the adult toads occurs) (Davis, 2013
and Dr. Scott Moody, Pers. Comm. April 2014). It is for this reason that we included a
prolonged, indefinite phase during which monitoring of the reference site will take place.
Considering that the Spadefoot toad breeds sporadically depending on rainfall events, a threeyear time frame has been determined to confirm breeding at the reference site. If a sufficient
population of tadpoles is found, then 10,000-20,000 tadpoles will be captured, transported in 5gallon buckets, and then introduced to the constructed ponds. Eastern Spadefoot has a Type I
survivorship curve (Moody, Pers. Com.), therefore, of the population taken from the reference
only about 2% are expected to reach maturity. The mature frogs will then establish themselves
in the terrestrial habitat surrounding the vernal ponds, where they will dig backwards into
relatively loose, friable sandy loam soils with their ‘spade’ foot and thickened webbing between
their hind leg toes (Figures 9 and 10 from Davis, 2013). It is postulated that this is how they are
able to maintain stable populations in floodplains during storm events (Moody, Pers. Comm.
April 2014). Therefore, intermittent flooding should not disrupt the existing population.
10
Table 1: Species list for prairie planting
Grasses
Andropogon gerardii
Big Blue Stem
Schizochyrium scoparium
Little Blue Stem
Sorghastrum nutans
Indian Grass
Panicum virgatum
Switchgrass
Wildflowers
Echinaceae purpurea
Purple Coneflower
Ratibinia pinnata
Gray-headed Coneflower
Asclepias hirtella
Prairie Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Butterfly Milkweed
Liatris spicata
Spiked Blazing Star
Eurphorbia corollata
Flowering Spurge
Baptisia australis
False Indigo
Baptisia alba
White False Indigo
Lobelia spicata
Spiked Lobelia
Allium cernuum
Nodding Wild Onion
Delphinium carolinianum
Tall Larkspur
Delphinium tricomer
Dwarf Larkspur
11
Figure 9: Spadefoot toad is named for the metatarsal ‘spade’ at the base of the first toe. Also note the thick
webbing between the toes (Davis, 2013).
Figure 10: Spadefoot Toad burrowing backward into the soil (Davis, 2013).
12
Measures of Success:
Establishing Baseline Amphibian Data
In order to establish baseline data for the Eastern Spadefoot toad populations for the
project, pitfall traps will be installed for passive capture of reptiles and amphibians in the riparian
zone where vernal pools have been installed in 2014. Within the reintroduction area auditory
monitoring systems will also be installed. Pitfall traps, when used in conjunction with drift
fences, is identified as the most effective method to capture many species (Anderson, 2011;
Willson and Gibbons, 2010). These traps will allow field staff to determine species richness and
abundance of amphibian biodiversity (and Eastern Spadefoot Toad populations) at the site prior
to, and after, restoration is completed. Four drift fences will be constructed with 8 traps for each
fence. A total of 32 pitfall traps will be used. Two drift fences will be located around the
breeding ponds and two drift fences will be located at habitat transition zones. Species diversity
indices will be calculated using the standard formulas for both the Simpson’s Index and the
Shannon-Wiener Index. Restoration will be considered a success if the indices are higher post
restoration.
In order to measure project success, monitoring and on-site field investigation will take place
annually for 3 years following the restoration and translocation project. This project will be
considered a success if the following criteria are met:
1.
Abundance and species richness of anuran communities is observed at the restored site every
year for three years. This will be done by comparing baseline initial site data to restored site
data. If the richness of Eastern Spadefoot toad increases by 30%, then the project will be
considered a success. Furthermore, an increase of 2 or more in richness of other anuran
communities will be an indicator of improved amphibian habitat within the riparian zone.
Drift fences, pitfall traps, and funnel traps will be used to assess species that passively fall
into the traps. The project will be considered a success if 300 adult Eastern Spadefoot are
found at the restoration site per year.
2. A 25% observed increase in vegetation cover around the vernal pools.
An automated recording system (ARS) will be used to assess amphibian populations as well.
A Song Meter (model SM3, Wildlife Acoustics) will be used in the spring, summer, and fall
to evaluate frog and toad calls during a three-year period. The Song Meter will be installed by a
technician at randomly generated sites within the site from May 2015 to May 2016. Data will be
collected 5 nights a week (excluding holidays). Field parameters such as temperature and
precipitation will also be measured.
Vegetative Assessments
In addition to amphibian monitoring, we will measure the success of our vegetative
planting in the tall grass prairie plantings.. For the tall grass prairie, we will measure % cover for
each species that is identified. This will be done by setting up 3 parallel transects within the tall
grass prairie. We will use a random sampling plot design along the 50 m length, setting out a 1
m square frame every 10 m along the transect; using a coin toss to randomize which side of the
transect line the sample plot lays on. We will identify all species and quantify abundance in 4
13
ways: percent frequency in all quadrats (the sum of quadrats a species was in), relative frequency
(% frequency for species a / sum of all species), % cover in all quadrats (sum of all covers for
each quadrat it was in), relative cover (% cover for species a / sum of all species covers). From
these sample plot datum, we will calculate relative importance values (RIV) calculated as one
half the sum of relative frequency and relative cover for each species.
In order to track annual changes in vegetation structure and composition for the field and
vernal pool areas, a graph will be made for the ten most important species (by RIV) and the
mean percent cover for those species plotted. Mean % cover is the total percent cover for each
species divided by the total number of quadrats. The other graphical representation that we will
use is to construct a dominance diversity curve (i.e. species abundance curve) for all species in
the field by ranking each species along the ordinate according to its relative importance value
(RIV).
Forecasting:
Vernal Ponds
Vernal ponds will remain a fairly permanent feature since they are lined with ‘aquatic
safe’ material. Although they will eventually deteriorate after some time, it is not critical that
they remain indefinitely. The large excavated depressions will still remain for quite some time
and this substrate is of the type that the Spadefoot toad normally inhabits. If we realize success
with the introduction, then hopefully future generations of people will want to ensure that vernal
ponds are maintained on the site. But even in the worst case scenario in which the introduction
is not successful for unknown reasons, then the ponds would still be there for other anuran
species.
Prairie
The site will be mowed every year after planting for the first three years in order to
ensure reduced competition from non-native plants within the restored prairie habitat. The
exception to this is that if we are able to introduce the toad within this 3-year window because of
favorable breeding events at our reference location, then no mowing will be done because it
might kill the toads. Due to the fact that we will not use herbicide treatments nor prescribed fire
as an adjunct to mowing, and because the site is located close to a freeway (a major pathway for
weedy seed sources) we do not expect complete replacement of existing vegetation with native
prairie vegetation. However, native tall grass prairie species are deep rooting and, once
established, they constitute very productive and vigorous ecosystems.
14
References Cited :
Anderson, CJ. 2011. The role of riparian wetland restoration in amphibian conservation in the North Carolina
Piedmont. Master’s Project. Duke University.
http://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/10161/4653/AndersonCatherine_MP_Sept11.pdf?s
equence=1
Beatty, E.G and Stone, M.S. Getting to Know Athens County. The Stone House. Athens, OH 1984.
Biebighauser, TR. 2002. A Guide to Creating Vernal Ponds. USDA Forest Service.
Brinson, M. M., B.L. Swift, R.C. Plantico, and J.S. Barclay, 1981. Riparian ecosystems: their ecology and status.
FWS/OBS-81/17. United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Services Program, Washington,
D.C., USA.
Davis, JG. 2013. Book Chapter “Eastern Spadefoot” in Amphibians of Ohio, eds. Pfingsten, R.A et al. Ohio
Biological Survey. pp.685-707.
Dodd, C. K. (2010). Amphibian ecology and conservation. A Handbook of Techniques (2010).
Gregory, K., & Davis, R. (1992). Coarse woody debris in stream channels in relation to river channel
management in woodland areas. Regulated Rivers: Research & Management, 7(2), 117-136.
Gregory, S. V., Swanson, F. J., McKee, W. A., & Cummins, K. W. (1991). An ecosystem perspective of
riparian zones. Bioscience, 41(8), 540-551.
Gregory, Stanley V., et al. "An ecosystem perspective of riparian zones." BioScience 41(8), pp.540-551.
Karr, J. R. (1981). Assessment of biotic integrity using fish communities. Fisheries, 6(6), 21-27.
Lester, R. E., Wright, W., & Jones-Lennon, M. (2007). Does adding wood to agricultural streams enhance
biodiversity? an experimental approach. Marine and Freshwater Research, 58(8), 687-698.
Naiman, R. J. (2010) "Riparian Zones." River Ecosystem Ecology: A Global Perspective: 182.
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. 2006. Methods for Assessing Habitat in Flowing Waters: Using the
Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI). Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water, Columbus, Ohio. 26
pp. http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/35/documents/QHEIManualJune2006.pdf
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (2009). Hocking River Watershed TMDL Report. Division of Surface
Water, Columbus, OH. Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practice. Chapter 6.
http://www.elibrary.dep.state.pa.us
Osborne, L. L., & Kovacic, D. A. (1993). Riparian vegetated buffer strips in water‐quality restoration and
stream management. Freshwater Biology, 29(2), 243-258.
15
Ohio State University Extension http://ohioline.osu.edu/ls-fact/0001.html
http://srelherp.uga.edu/anurans/scahol.htm
Poff, B., Koestner, K. A., Neary, D. G., & Henderson, V. (2011). Threats to riparian ecosystems in western
north america: An analysis of existing literature1. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources
Association, 47(6), 1241-1254.
Riparian Areas: Providing Landscape Habitat Diversity (1998). Extension Note. Ministry of Forest Research
Program. British Columbia Ministry of forests. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/en/en17.pdf
Ribeiro, J. W., Lima, A. P., & Magnusson, W. E. (2012). The effect of riparian zones on species diversity of
frogs in amazonian forests. Copeia, 2012(3), 375-381.
Sharitz, R. R., Boring, L. R., Lear, D. H. V., & Pinder III, J. E. (1992). Integrating ecological concepts with
natural resource management of southern forests. Ecological Applications, 2(3), 226-237.
Soman, S. et al. 2007. Ecosystem Services from Riparian Areas: A Brief Summary of the Literature. University of
Illinois (unpublished draft). http://www2.illinois.gov/ltgov/documents/sac/sacriprarianservices.pdf
Sweeney, B. W., Bott, T. L., Jackson, J. K., Kaplan, L. A., Newbold, J. D., Standley, L. J., et al. (2004).
Riparian deforestation, stream narrowing, and loss of stream ecosystem services. Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 101(39), 14132-14137.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2007a. Riparian Zone and Stream Restoration. Assessed at.
http://www.epa.gov/ada/eco/riparian.html
United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2007b. Research shows importance of riparian buffers for
aquatic health. Science in ACTION: Ecological Research Program. Assessed at
http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/riparianbuffer.pdf.
Wilson, J.D. and J.W. Gibbons. 2010. Drift fences, coverboards, and other traps. In Dodd, C.K. 2010. Amphibian
Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques. New York: Oxford University Press. Available
at: http://comp.uark.edu/~jwillson/publications/2009%20-%20Willson%20&%20Gibbons%20%20Amphibian%20traps%20-%20BOOK%20CHAPTER.pdf
16
Table 2: Timeline
Timeline
2014
Activity
JanApr
MayAug
2015
SepDec
JanApr
MayAug
2016
SepDec
JanApr
Requisition
of permits
Preliminary
surveys of
restoration
and
reference
sites
Seed bed
preparation
Vernal pool
construction
Planting of
prairie seed
Eastern
Spadefoot
Introduction
Monitoring
End of
Project
17
MayAug
2017
SepDec
JanApr
MayAug
2018
SepDec
JanApr
MayAug
SepDec
Budget: Total costs of the project amount to $13,380.25 (Figure 11 and Table 2).
Budget Breakdown
12%
2%
28%
Vernal Pond Construction
Prarie Restoration
Monitoring
Spadefoot relocation
58%
Figure 11: Budget breakdown. The majority of costs for this project involve the prairie planting
and vernal pool construction.
18
Table 3: Itemized Budget
Item
Vernal Pond
Construction
Dozer
Synthetic liner
Geo-textile fabric
wire stakes
straw for mulch
Unit
Cost
hours
ft
Quantity Total
$78.81
10
$788.10
2
$0.50
2400
$1,200.00
2
$0.33
$0.33
$4.93
4800
100
30
$1,584.00
$33.00
$147.90
ft
each
bales
Sub
total
Prairie Restoration
Prairie seed mix
Tilling hire
Sand
Hitch Seed spreader
lbs
hours
50-lb bag
each
$54.50
$80.00
$4.48
$278.00
$3,753.00
125
8
5
1
Sub
total
Spadefoot Relocation
Small fish nets (16")
gas for vehicle
bucket (5 gallons)
truck rental
each
each
each
day
$3.67
$20.00
$12.00
$100.00
$7,752.90
5
1
15
1
Sub
total
Monitoring
SM3 Acoustic Monitor
Plastic for drift fences
Buckets (5 gallons)
Hula hoops
each
2
ft
each
each
$13,380.25
19
$18.35
$20.00
$180.00
$100.00
$318.35
$900.00
1
$900.00
$0.50
$12.00
$4.00
800
20
4
$400.00
$240.00
$16.00
Sub
total
TOTAL
$6,812.50
$640.00
$22.40
$278.00
$1,556.00
Budget Justification
Vernal Pond Construction:
The construction of vernal ponds is absolutely integral to the success of the Spadefoot relocation
portion of this project. Eastern Spadefoot toad is a prolific breeder that uses vernal ponds to
spawn. Two vernal ponds will be constructed. The budget was calculated using “A guide to
creating vernal pools” (USDA, 2002) and prices were adjusted for inflation. The dozer will be
needed to create a depression for the vernal pools. The synthetic liner is needed in order to
ensure that vernal ponds stay filled with water during wet periods. The geotextile fabric will
protect the synthetic liner from being punctured. Wire stakes will be used to tack down the
synthetic liner and the straw will be used to protect the newly sown seed from erosion around the
ponds.
Prairie restoration:
The prairie restoration of the project is needed to restore biodiversity and habitat for the Eastern
Spadefoot toad. Prairie seed mix will ensure that some native prairie plants establish after
seeding. A till will be needed to prepare the seed beds for seeding. Sand will be used as a matrix
to distribute seed. A spreader will enable seed to be sown easily and quickly.
Spadefoot relocation:
Fish nets and buckets are needed in order to capture and transport tadpoles to the restoration site.
The truck rental and gas are needed in order to transport tadpoles.
Monitoring:
An SM3 acoustic monitor from Wildlife Acoustics will be used to vocal amphibian species after
the restoration portion of the project is completed. Buckets and plastic are needed in order to
create traps for amphibian sampling that will establish population counts at the restoration site.
Hula hoops will be used to vegetation monitoring assessments.
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Appendix 1:
Photo 1 and 2: Two views of the proposed site standing approximately 100 meters from SR 50 and
facing southeast and southwest, respectively, toward the Hocking River. Note that there are no large
trees, it is nearly flat, and the vegetative cover is mostly herbaceous perennials. Both photos taken by Bill
Rucker on 4/23/14.
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Appendix 2:
The map in this appendix was prepared by John Knouse, courtesy of the Athens Conservancy. It
shows the extent of the Baker Tract. The triangular section adjacent to the Hocking River is the
portion of the tract that we will restore.
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