Plenary Presentations, Thursday, June 25Room: Ballroom C/D Thursday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM |
| 9:00-10:00AM Hidden biological value: headwater streams, isolated wetlands, and terrestrial connections.
Dr. Raymond Semlitsch
Introduction Dr. Joe Schubauer-Berigan The biological value of headwater streams and small isolated wetlands is often difficult to quantify. Such information can be critical to determine wetland regulations and for management and protection. I present several examples using amphibians to demonstrate biological value that is cryptic to most biologists. First, headwater streams and small isolated wetlands are numerous on the landscape. Second, amphibians occurring in these habitats comprise a large amount of vertebrate biomass. Further, because of their complex life cycle and annual migrations, amphibian likely act as vectors for nutrients that connect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Together, this information indicates that amphibians may play a major role in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem function. |