FARM PONDS AS CRITICAL HABITATS FOR NATIVE AMPHIBIANS.

Shawn Weick1, Melinda G. Knutson1, William Richardson1, Mark Sandheinrich2, Dan 
Sutherland2,  Brent Knights1, Jeff Parmelee3 1USGS Upper Midwest Environmental 
Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Rd., La Crosse, WI  54603, 2Department of 
Biology and River Studies Center, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, 
WI 54601, 3Simpson College, 701 N. C. Street, Indianola, IA 50125.



 
We studied constructed farm ponds in the Driftless Area Ecoregion of 
southeastern Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and northeastern Iowa.  We collected 
amphibian, wildlife, invertebrate, and water quality data from 40 randomly 
selected farm ponds in southeastern Minnesota during 2000 and 2001.  We selected 
10 ponds in each of 4 surrounding land use classes: row crop agriculture, grazed 
grassland, ungrazed grassland, and natural wetlands.  We collected data on 
amphibians, birds, mammals, invertebrates, water quality, vegetation, and land 
use/cover surrounding the ponds.  

We identified 10 species of amphibians at the ponds, including the tiger 
salamander (Ambystoma triginum), American toad (Bufo americanus), eastern gray 
treefrog (Hyla versicolor), chorus frog (Pseudacris triseriata), spring peeper 
(Pseudacris crucifer), green frog (Rana clamitans), wood frog (Rana sylvatica), 
leopard frog (Rana pipiens), and pickerel frog (Rana palustris).  The blue-
spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) was identified at one pond in both 
years.  Water quality in the ponds ranged from very clear, stream-fed ponds 
(natural wetlands) to very nutrient-rich, stagnant waters. 

Besides the usual scientific papers resulting from the study, we are developing 
technical documents based on results of the study.  We are writing a technical 
leaflet on design and management of farm ponds as wildlife habitat, suitable for 
use by biologists or district conservationists in working with landowners.  This 
is intended for a national audience and will eventually be posted on the USDA 
NRCS Wildlife Habitat Management Institute website 
http://www.ms.nrcs.usda.gov/whmi/.  We also are developing a monitoring manual 
and field key to eggs and larvae for Midwestern amphibians.  The manual will be 
used by the USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative in cooperation 
with biologists monitoring amphibians on federal land.  Three graduate students 
have been involved with the project and are studying farm pond toxicology, 
invertebrates, and post-breeding habitat use of ponds by northern leopard frogs.  
Details and updates on study products are available at the project website:  
http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/terrestrial/amphibians/mknutson_5003869.html.

The study was undertaken in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin, La 
Crosse, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Simpson College, 
Indianola, IA, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  The project was funded by 
Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the 
Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources and the USGS Upper Midwest 
Environmental Sciences Center.  



Keywords:  farm ponds, amphibians, Driftless Area, wildlife, monitoring