Abstract
The Picayune Strand Restoration Project (Picayune) is a major hydrologic/habitat restoration project that is being conducted as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. This study was designed to evaluate the success of the restoration activities within the Picayune by obtaining and analyzing anuran species richness and relative abundance in relation to various restoration phases. The restoration phases included two "treatments" (i.e., restored canal and un-restored canal) and a "reference" (i.e., natural wetland depression). Anuran observations were conducted using nocturnal audible call surveys, polyvinyl chloride pipe refugia sampling, and dip netting. Based upon the audible call sampling and dip netting, the results indicated that the lowest species richness and relative abundance values occurred within the un-restored canal, then there was an increase in the restored canal, and highest values were in the natural wetlands. Also, the audible call sampling showed distinct groupings and similarities of anurans within each restoration phases and also identified significant differences in the distribution of anuran species relative to the different restoration phases. Specifically, Gastrophryne carolinensis, Hyla femora/is, and Rana sphenocephala were only documented in the natural and restored areas and Hyla cinerea and Hyla squirella preferred the natural areas the most followed by the restored areas; therefore, they appear to be "indicator species" of restoration success. These findings serve as an implication that the restoration activities within the Picayune are effective and that anurans are biological indicators of restoration success.
