Influence of Water Chemistry and Habitat Parameters on the Abundance of Pond-Breeding Amphibians

The aim of our study was to analyze the species composition of batrachofauna from urban water bodies and their relationship with habitat conditions. The analysis included 13 water bodies located within the administrative limits of Slupsk city. Characteristics of the water bodies included their morphometric features and physical-chemical parameters of water. Species composition and number of adult amphibians were determined during their breeding season (March-May). A total of 4 amphibian species (Bufo bufo, Lissotriton vulgaris, Rana temporaria, and Rana esculenta complex) were identified. The co-existence of all these species was documented in only one water body, and no amphibians were revealed in another five ponds. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed positive correlations between the composition of batrachofauna and the morphometric parameters of water bodies, hardness, and water temperature. These correlations were the strongest in the case of Rana esculenta complex and Rana temporaria. Furthermore, the composition of batrachofauna correlated inversely with certain chemical parameters of the water, such as the concentration of nitrogen and total phosphorus, and N:P ratio. Moreover, we observed the inverse correlation between the prevalence of Rana temporaria, Rana esculenta, and Lissotriton vulgaris and the concentration of chlorophyll a. In our study, the physical parameters strongly differentiating the composition and abundance of amphibians, whereas chemical parameters of water had only little influence on it.