Effects of microhabitat characteristics on amphibian diversity in urban water system of Kaifeng, Henan, China

Abstract

Amphibians with a unique life history are extremely sensitive to environmental changes. They are important indicator species for environmental change. The construction of Kaifeng water system affects the habitat and biodiversity of amphibians. In this study, we investigated the amphi-bians in water system of Kaifeng by setting sample points and using visual encounter method, and measured the habitat variables. We quantified amphibian biodiversity under different habitat types using the Shannon diversity index, Pielou evenness index and Simpson dominance index, and explored the responses of amphibians to microhabitat variations by cluster analysis and redundancy analysis. The results showed that the diversity, evenness, and dominance of amphibians in the natural revetment were higher than those in the artificial hardened revetment, indicating a more stable amphibian population in the natural habitat. The dominance index of amphibians on natural revetment was higher than that of the two artificially hardened revetments, indicating that amphibians preferred natural habitat. The abundance of both Palophylax nigromaculata and Bufo gargarizans had significant positive correlation with night light intensity, while the abundance of P. plancyi was positively correlated with total phosphorus, and that of Fejervarya limnocharis was positively correlated with water pH. The protection of amphibians should be considered in the construction of urban water system in Kaifeng. The presence of more natural revetment would be of great significance to enhance amphibian biodiversity.

Keywords: Kaifeng; amphibians; biodiversity; microhabitat factor; urban water system.