Abstract Context Urban-rural gradients are useful tools when examining the influence of human disturbances on ecological, social and coupled systems, yet most commonly used gradient definitions based single broad measures such as housing density or percent forest cover that fail to capture landscape patterns important for conservation. Objectives We present an approach defining urban–rural integrates multiple pattern metrics related ecosystem processes natural resources wildlife...

Abstract 1. Little is known about native communities in naturally fishless lakes eastern North America, a region where fish stocking has led to decline these habitats. 2. Our study objectives were to: (i) characterise and compare macroinvertebrate found two biophysical regions of Maine (U.S.A.): kettle the lowlands foothills headwater central western mountains; (ii) identify unique attributes lake compared with (iii) develop method efficiently when thorough surveys are not possible. 3. We...

Global climate change represents one of the most extensive and pervasive threats to wildlife populations. Amphibians, specifically salamanders, are particularly susceptible effects changing climates due their restrictive physiological requirements low vagility; however, little is known about which landscapes species vulnerable change. Our study objectives included, (1) evaluating species-specific predictions (based on 2050 projections) vulnerabilities (2) using collective responses identify...

Abstract It is common to use multiple field sampling methods when implementing wildlife surveys compare method efficacy or cost efficiency, integrate distinct pieces of information provided by separate methods, evaluate method‐specific biases and misclassification error. Existing models that combine from devices permit rigorous comparison detection parameters, enable estimation additional parameters such as false‐positive probability, improve occurrence abundance estimates, but with the...

Native species that persist in urban environments may benefit from local adaptation to novel selection factors. We used double-digest restriction-side associated DNA (RAD) sequencing evaluate shifts genome-wide genetic diversity and investigate the presence of parallel evolution with urban-specific factors wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus). Our replicated paired study design involved 12 individuals each 4 rural populations improve our confidence detected signals are indeed urbanization....

Translocations are used increasingly to conserve populations of rare freshwater mussels. Recovery translocated mussels is essential accurate assessment translocation success. We designed an experiment evaluate the use passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags mark and track individual eastern lampmussels (Lampsilis radiata radiata) as a surrogate for 2 mussel species. assessed internal external PIT-tag retention in laboratory field. Internal tag was high (75–100%), rejection occurred...

Water clarity is a strong indicator of regional water quality. Unlike other common water-quality metrics, such as chlorophyll a, total P, or trophic status, can be accurately and efficiently estimated remotely on scale. Satellite-based remote sensing useful in regions with many lakes where traditional field-sampling techniques may prohibitively expensive. Repeated sampling easily accessed lead to spatially irregular, nonrandom samples region. Remote remedies this problem. We applied...

Abstract Metapopulation‐structured species can be negatively affected when landscape fragmentation impairs connectivity. We investigated the effects of urbanization on genetic diversity and gene flow for two sympatric amphibian species, spotted salamanders ( Ambystoma maculatum ) wood frogs Lithobates sylvaticus ), across a large (>35,000 km 2 in Maine, USA, containing numerous natural anthropogenic gradients. Isolation‐by‐distance (IBD) patterns differed between species. Spotted showed...

Summary Anadromous fish populations entering freshwater ecosystems provide organic matter and marine‐derived nutrients during spawning subsequent mortalities of adults. Dams other impediments to connectivity in rivers streams have affected anadromous many regions prevented or reduced this influx materials nutrients. This study used historical data on the timing delivery nutrients; we added a carcass analogue (pellets made from carcasses C hinook salmon, O ncorhynchus tschawytcha ) simulate...

Our study used historic marine-derived nutrient (MDN) delivery timing to simulate potential effects of restored connectivity on juvenile Atlantic salmon (ATS; Salmo salar) growth and condition. Four headwater streams were stocked with ATS young the year (YOY) received carcass analog additions (0.10 kg·m –2 wetted area) in treatment reaches match sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) spawning. Individual mass was 33%–48% greater standard length 9%–15% relative control for 4 months following...

Homogeneous, agriculturally intense landscapes have abundant records of pollinator community research, though similar studies in the forest-dominated, heterogeneous mixed-use landscape that dominates northeastern United States are sparse. Trends effects on wild bees consistent across homogeneous agricultural landscapes, whereas reported not found this consistency. Additionally, role noncrop habitat is understudied. We assessed bee communities lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.)...

Summary 1. Fish have been introduced into many previously fishless lakes throughout North America over the past 100+ years. It is difficult to determine historical distribution of lakes, however, because these introductions not always well‐documented. 2. Due its glacial history and low human population density, state Maine (U.S.A.) may host greatest number naturally in northeastern United States. However, less than one‐quarter Maine’s 6000+ surveyed for fish presence, no accurate assessments...

Many state water-quality agencies use biological assessment methods based on lotic fish and macroinvertebrate communities, but relatively few states have incorporated algal multimetric indices into monitoring programs. Algae are good indicators for water quality because they sensitive to many environmental stressors. We evaluated benthic community attributes along a landuse gradient affecting wadeable streams rivers in Maine, USA, identify potential bioassessment metrics. collected epilithic...

State water-quality professionals developing new biological assessment methods often have difficulty relating results to narrative criteria in standards. An alternative selecting index thresholds arbitrarily is include the Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) development of method. The BCG describes tiers community condition help identify and communicate position a water body along gradient quality ranging from natural degraded. Although originally developed for fish macroinvertebrate...

Abstract Common species are fundamental to the structure and function of their communities may enhance community stability through intraspecific functional diversity ( iFD ). We measured among‐habitat within‐habitat (i.e., among‐ within‐plant types) two common small mammal using stable isotopes trait dendrograms, determined whether was related short‐term population stability, tested spatially explicit filters helped explain observed patterns . Southern red‐backed voles Myodes gapperi ) had...

Identification of essential habitat is a fundamental component amphibian conservation; however, species with complex life histories frequently move among habitats. To better understand dynamic use, we evaluated Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus (LeConte, 1825)) selection and movement patterns during the spring migration foraging periods described spatiotemporal variability habitats used all annual life-history periods. We radio-tracked 71 frogs in Maine 2011–2013 migration, activity center...