Creating and restoring wetlands can be valuable tools for amphibian conservation

A Place to Call Home: Amphibian Use of Created and Restored Wetlands

Donald J. Brown,Garrett M. Street, Robert W. Nairn and Michael R. J. Forstner

International Journal of Ecology
Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 989872

Amphibians are on a decline worldwide due to loss and degradation of wetland habitats. In this paper the authors make an assessment of the impact of creation and restoration of wetlands.

The researchers found that Amphibian species richness or abundance at created and restored wetlands was either similar to or greater than reference wetlands in 89% of studies. They say use of created and restored wetlands by individual species was driven by aquatic and terrestrial habitat preferences, as well as ability to disperse from source wetlands.

Based on their research the researchers conclude that creating and restoring wetlands can be valuable tools for amphibian conservation. 

Here is a rider from the authors “Because hydroperiod dynamics exert such a strong influence on amphibian communities, we recommend that managers consider the surrounding wetland community when engaging in wetlands creation initiatives”