Non‐native species impacts on pond occupancy by an anuran

Abstract

Abstract Non‐native fish and bullfrogs ( Lithobates catesbeianus ) are frequently cited as contributing to the decline of ranid frogs in the western United States, so we hypothesized that non‐native species, habitat, or a combination of these relate to the probability of local extinction for northern red‐legged frogs ( Rana aurora ) in Oregon, USA. We also hypothesized that the probability of colonization relates to land use, wetland size, or riparian forest. In a 5‐yr study, we found no support for an effect of non‐native species on northern red‐legged frogs. Instead, probability of local extinction decreased with the extent of emergent vegetation and riparian forest. This finding suggests that managers consider the role of habitat when confronting non‐native species problems. © 2010 The Wildlife Society.