What design features associated with a pond (size, depth, and vegetation) will maximize wildlife benefits?
Our goal was to identify farm management practices that lead to sustainable amphibian populations, high diversity, and low incidence of deformities. We are also developing a guide to the design, construction, and management of farm ponds for use by contractors, private landowners, and state or federal agencies Weather conditions during the 2000 field season were dry in May, followed by heavy rainfall in late May through July. In 2001, steady April and May rains led to wet conditions early in the season, followed by a summer drought. We were fortunate to be able to study the same 40 ponds in both seasons. The blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) was identified at a single natural wetland. We observed high abundances of the American toad, eastern gray treefrog, and green frog at many ponds. Six species of snakes and two turtle species were observed at the ponds over the 2 years of the study (Figure 4). The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) was the most frequently encounte
