Week 10: Different Ways to Conduct Effective Aquatic Amphibian Sampling

This week we had the ability to learn how to do aquatic amphibian trapping in the Leach Pond on campus. It is important to do trap aquatic amphibians because they play crucial roles in the ecosystem dynamics, often serving as indicators of environmental health. Sampling these amphibians requires careful consideration of their habitats and behavior. Both active and passive methods are commonly employed for sampling, each offering unique advantages and insights to amphibian populations.

An example of active sampling for aquatic amphibians is with a sweep net. The sweep net method involves actively searching for amphibians by physically sweeping through aquatic vegetation, debris, or open water. This method is particularly useful for capturing amphibians in shallow bodies of water, such as ponds, marshes, or steams with slow-moving water. To employ the sweep net method, you can either wade into the water or from the surrounding land, gently sweep the net through the water, can capture amphibians and other aquatic organisms.

Active sampling with a sweep net provides valuable information about the distribution, abundance, and diversity of aquatic amphibians. When doing this you can record data such as species composition, size, and behavior, enabling them to assess population dynamics and habitat preferences. Additionally, active sampling allows for the immediate release of non-target species or individuals which is something that can’t be done with passive methods.

An example of passive sampling is a minnow trap, which involves setting up devices, in our case we deployed several around Leach Pond, to capture amphibians without direct human intervention. Minnow traps are cylindrical traps made of a wire mesh, that attract small aquatic organisms, including amphibians, by mimicking natural shelter or food sources. The minnow traps were deployed roughly 20 hours before we removed them from the water, and they contained a piece of a pool noodle for any animal constantly needing air.

Passive sampling with minnow traps offers several advantages, including minimal disturbance to the aquatic environment and the ability to sample over extended periods without constant human presence. This is particularly useful for capturing species that may be difficult to detect through active sampling alone, and for sampling, we received better data with higher biodiversity and abundance.