Utilization of surface mine ponds in East Tennessee by breeding amphibians

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5112990

Turner, L J; Fowler, D K

Of 24 ponds examined on Ollis Creek Surface Mine, Campbell County, Tennessee, 21 contained breeding amphibians. Twelve species of amphibians were identified in ponds that ranged from 4.0 to 8.0 in pH. Although ponds with low pH values were used by breeding amphibians, significantly more amphibian species were found in ponds with higher pH values. The average pH of ponds occupied by each amphibian species varied. Spring peepers (Hyla crucifer) occupied ponds with the lowest average pH (5.22) while upland chorus frogs (Pseudacris triseriata feriarum) utilized ponds with the highest average pH (6.33). Findings indicated high biological productivity in surface mine ponds. Aquatic vegetation was present in 20 of the 24 ponds. Aquatic insects and a diverse wildlife fauna utilized the study ponds. Large mammals (3 species), waterbirds (17 species), and snakes (2 species) were among those species observed. Surface mine ponds were found to supply an important habitat component for a variety of wildlife species and therefore improve the quality of wildlife habitat on the surface mines. In some areas, mine ponds are the only source of surface water available for wildlife use. 23 references, 9 figures, 5 tables.

• Research Organization: Tennessee Valley Authority, Norris (USA). Div. of Land and Forest Resources
• OSTI ID: 5112990
• Report Number(s): FWS/OBS-81/08; ON: DE84900908
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
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& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
520500 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Site Resource & Use Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABANDONED SITES
ACIDIFICATION
AMPHIBIANS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
COAL MINES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FEDERAL REGION IV
LAND RECLAMATION
LAND USE
MINES
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
PH VALUE
PONDS
PRODUCTIVITY
SURFACE MINING
SURFACE WATERS
TENNESSEE
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
USA
VERTEBRATES