Biology Paper
Executive Summary
Durango Nature Studies is located on US Highway 550 12 miles from farmington hill.
Durango Nature Studies owns 140 acres.
The purpose of Durango Nature Studies is to provide nature, science, and environmental education
Species Overview
Rana pipiens (Leopard Frog)
What is this species?
Leopard Frog
How big?
5.1-9.0 cm
Where are they found (geographic range)
Northern US and into Canada
What type of habitat do they require?
What do they eat?
Algae and plants as tadpoles. Vegetables and sometimes dead animals as adults.
What is the status (threatened, endangered, invasive…) of this species in Colorado?
Threatened.
Rana catesbeiana (bullfrog)
What is this species?
Bullfrog
How big?
10–18 cm
Where are they native?
Eastern North America.
What do they eat?
Anything that fits in their mouth
Are they territorial?
Yes
What is the status of this species in Colorado?
Not listed
Results
Discussion
Durango Nature Studies is located on US Highway 550 12 miles from farmington hill.
Durango Nature Studies owns 140 acres.
The purpose of Durango Nature Studies is to provide nature, science, and environmental education
Species Overview
Rana pipiens (Leopard Frog)
What is this species?
Leopard Frog
How big?
5.1-9.0 cm
Where are they found (geographic range)
Northern US and into Canada
What type of habitat do they require?
- Tadpole
- Mid-sized ponds
- Does not support fish population
- Open canopy
- Adult
- Grassy meadows
- Overwintering
- Hibernate under water in ponds and rivers
What do they eat?
Algae and plants as tadpoles. Vegetables and sometimes dead animals as adults.
What is the status (threatened, endangered, invasive…) of this species in Colorado?
Threatened.
Rana catesbeiana (bullfrog)
What is this species?
Bullfrog
How big?
10–18 cm
Where are they native?
Eastern North America.
What do they eat?
Anything that fits in their mouth
Are they territorial?
Yes
What is the status of this species in Colorado?
Not listed
Results
- Based on eight veg-plot surveys the diversity index for plant species on the DNS property was found to be 1.3, which suggests a stable ecosystem.
- High phosphate levels were found in both the pond and the river, suggesting poor water quality.
- Dissolved oxygen levels were normal in the pond, and inconclusive for the river.
- The PH levels in both the pond and the river were high, showing alkalinity.
- Nitrate levels showed both the pond and the river were unpolluted.
- Coliform was present in both bond and the river.
- The shannon wiener diversity index for macro invertebrates in the pond was 1.27 and the river was 1.41
Discussion
- What is an algal bloom?
It is a rapid increase in the population of algae in an aquatic system - What causes algal blooms?
Excess phosphorus causes algal blooms, sources of phosphorus include human and animal wastes and decay, industrial wastes, run-off, and fertilizers and detergents. - Why is an algal bloom bad?
The animal population increases, so the demand for oxygen increases and the available oxygen decreases. - What is one specific method we could use to trap bullfrogs next year?
Pitfall traps