Using Behavioral Characteristics to Design Amphibian Ladders for Concrete-Lined Irrigation Channels

Bo Bi, Jian Tong, Shaohua Lei, Dan Chen (), Qiu Jin, Dalin Hong, Xiaojun Wang, Jing Chen and Siyuan Zhao
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Bo Bi: State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
Jian Tong: Soil and Water Conservation Monitoring Station of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210012, China
Shaohua Lei: State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
Dan Chen: College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
Qiu Jin: State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
Dalin Hong: State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
Xiaojun Wang: State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
Jing Chen: College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China
Siyuan Zhao: College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: Human-dominated landscapes have become a serious threat to amphibian populations worldwide. In such landscapes, concrete structures act as barriers to migration, fragmenting habitat and causing mortality. In China, concrete irrigation channels, which play an important role in agriculture, impede the movement of anuran amphibians. To promote the sustainable development of irrigated agriculture, we performed behavioral experiments to examine the ability of a common Chinese frog species ( Pelophylax nigromaculatus ) of four different body sizes to use corridors along a gradient of six different slopes to escape from irrigation channels. We found that body size was positively related with frogs’ ability to climb the ladders. Most frogs could not escape if the slope was ≥65 degrees, but all frogs could successfully navigate a ladder with a slope of 45 degrees. Based on our experimental results, we propose a simple improved design for amphibian ladders that would greatly improve the success of frogs in escaping from irrigation channels. This research is expected to provide scientific reference data and technical support for frog conservation in the study area, as well as the development of ecological restoration of irrigation districts throughout the world.

Keywords: frog conservation; aquatic ecosystem; irrigation district; sustainable development; ecological reconstruction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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