| Responding to new interpretations of the 404 permitting process under the Clean Water Act (CWA), I compared amphibian species richness and abundance between currently unprotected populations that breed in isolated upland ephemeral pools and floodplain pools still protected under the CWA 404 permitting process. My results indicated pool-breeding amphibian populations were more abundant and had greater species richness in isolated upland pools compared to floodplain pools. I measured habitat characteristics and found several associations between amphibians and habitat variables such as, midstory plant species richness and percent of overstory canopy cover.; I marked and released 672 turtles (9 species) on Oktoc Creek and Noxubee River from 2001--2003. Using a robust design in program MARK, I estimated annual adult survival and population size for red-eared sliders ( Trachermys scripta elegans). Estimated annual adult survivorship was 0.48 (SE 0.17) for sliders on Oktoc Creek. |
