Although many avian species can be observed using wetlands from a distance, the taxa below the water's surface can be much harder to document. This includes the wide array of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic invertebrates. Knowing how best to monitoring these species assemblages to inform management decisions is limited. In the past, research typically has only focused on one taxonomic group like fish or just amphibians. These projects have looked at one taxonomic group or another in different parts of Missouri. However, both taxonomic groups occur simultaneously within floodplain systems and can be caught with similar gear. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a comprehensive evaluation of the most efficient and effective gear type when sampling these seasonally inundated habitats. Most recently the University of Missouri and Missouri Department of Conservation conducted research that took the next step in reducing the amount of uncertainty when sampling aquatic communities by addressing the following:
- Assess efficiency and effectiveness of a variety of sampling methods to determine probability of presence and species richness of amphibians and fish in MDC wetlands
- Quantify effects of region, season, and habitat complexity on detection probability for amphibians and fish in MDC wetlands and
- Recommend standardized assessment protocols for use by MDC wetland area managers to evaluate amphibian and fish response to wetland management decisions.
This study sampled 29 wetlands across three ecoregions in Missouri to compare the effectiveness of four aquatic sampling gears (mini-fyke nets, minnow traps, dipnets, and seines) to detect fish and amphibian species. The influence of method, temporal (spring and summer of 2015 and 2016) and regional variation, and sample site habitat on the number of fish and amphibian species detected was evaluated. Major findings of the study indicated that generally 6-7 mini-fyke nets detected a greater percentage of fish and amphibian species than other gears during most of the seasonal sampling periods. The mini-fyke nets detected larger sized fish and fish across a greater size range regardless of changes in vegetation cover or water depth. However, the detection of unique species, those only detected by one method, varied among taxonomic groups. For example, the unique fish species, including species of conservation concern, were detected with mini-fyke nets; whereas the unique amphibian species were detected by a range of different methods including mini-fyke nets, dipnets, and minnow traps. Other findings showed that the number of fish species detected decreased with increasing distance from shore. The number of amphibian species was negatively associated with water depth. In addition to spatial and temporal variables, wetland hydrologic connectivity and managed water source were the main factors structuring the distribution and richness of fish and amphibian wetland taxa in Missouri floodplain wetlands.
Amphibian Occupancy in Flood-Created and Existing Wetlands of the Lower Missouri River Alluvial Valley (PDF, 403 KB)
The Great Flood of 1993 created 466 new wetlands along the Missouri River floodplain between Kansas City and St. Louis, providing an opportunity to see how wetland dependent species use these newly created habitats. This study focuses on the occupancy and fate of amphibians using new and existing floodplain wetlands after this flood event.
Published on Dec 02, 2021 -Surveying Fish and Amphibians in Missouri Wetlands: Gear Findings (PDF, 892 KB)
This Science Note shows the catching efficiency of four different gear types among fish and amphibians and highlights some of the research's findings.
A common assumption of seasonal wetland management is that visible and abundant species, like waterbirds, are indicators of a broader community of wetland dependent species that benefit from intensive management. However, there is a degree of uncertainty as to what other species are present and how they may be influenced by various management decisions. Periodic monitoring of cryptic species, like fish and amphibians, can help document these species and inform biologists of the broader wetland community as they seasonally manipulate and mimic wetland conditions in Missouri's altered floodplains. We wanted to identify the most efficient and effective method to survey fish and amphibian communities in wetland impoundments so we evaluated and compared four different sampling techniques. In general, 6-7 mini-fyke nets detected a greater percentage of fish and amphibian species than other gears during most of the seasonal sampling periods. To optimize detection of amphibian communities, a combination of mini-fyke nets and dipnet or minnow trap samples is likely necessary.
Published on Jan 01, 2019Surveying Fish and Amphibians in Missouri Wetlands: Active vs Passive Methods (PDF, 1 MB)
This Science Note provides a decision tree to help determine which gear type might work best for a wetland manager's needs to monitor fish and amphibians.
Monitoring cryptic species, like fish and amphibians, helps reduce uncertainty and informs management decisions of a broader range of wetland dependent taxa. However, the time and effort required for monitoring are limited, so knowing the trade-offs of different survey methods, site selection, and timing can help managers determine best surveying practices based on monitoring objectives. The following guidelines are based on extensive sampling of 29 wetlands across three ecoregions in Missouri during 2015-2016. Sampling compared two active methods (dipnets and seines) and two passive methods (minnow traps and mini-fyke nets). Identifying a project's objectives are first and fore-most. Once this has been decided, there are a series of trade-offs to consider when selecting appropriate and efficient methodologies for sampling fish and amphibians. The findings of this study should help inform this process.
Published on Jan 01, 2019