Examining The Effects of Traffic on the Vocalization of Lithobates Catesbeianus and Lithobates Clamitans

School Name

Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Environmental Science

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: John Quinn, Furman University

Written Paper Award

1st Place

Abstract

As urbanization increases, biodiversity often decreases. Urbanization affects the environment in many ways including increases in noise, habitat loss, and species extinction. The repercussions of extinction and habitat loss, such as loss of species diversity, disrupted food chains and invasive species, are obvious, but the effects of traffic noise are less apparent. The relationship between traffic noise and vocalization in animals has been studied broadly. However, little research about frogs exists. I studied the calls of Bullfrogs and Green frogs living both near and far from busy roads. Recordings were taken from eight sites and analyzed with Raven. The calls were isolated and analyzed using Raven. Neither the American Bullfrog or the Green Frog showed a change in their vocalizations. Understanding which species are able to adapt gives conservation biologists an idea of which species are more at risk of being affected by urbanization.

Location

Wall 205

Start Date

3-25-2017 9:45 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 9:45 AM

Examining The Effects of Traffic on the Vocalization of Lithobates Catesbeianus and Lithobates Clamitans

Wall 205

As urbanization increases, biodiversity often decreases. Urbanization affects the environment in many ways including increases in noise, habitat loss, and species extinction. The repercussions of extinction and habitat loss, such as loss of species diversity, disrupted food chains and invasive species, are obvious, but the effects of traffic noise are less apparent. The relationship between traffic noise and vocalization in animals has been studied broadly. However, little research about frogs exists. I studied the calls of Bullfrogs and Green frogs living both near and far from busy roads. Recordings were taken from eight sites and analyzed with Raven. The calls were isolated and analyzed using Raven. Neither the American Bullfrog or the Green Frog showed a change in their vocalizations. Understanding which species are able to adapt gives conservation biologists an idea of which species are more at risk of being affected by urbanization.