Factors affecting amphibian use of road-rut ponds in Daniel Boone National Forest

Road-rut ponds are being established throughout much of Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF), Kentucky, to promote breeding habitat for forest-dwelling amphibians. However, quantitative data are lacking on species use and habitat features associated with ponds preferred as breeding sites. [The authors] surveyed 106 road-rut ponds in DBNF, April 1992. Eight amphibian species were observed using ponds. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) demonstrated pond selection by amphibians to be significantly different from random (P < 0.0001). Pond use was positively related to surface area and depth, with surface area loading as the most important variable. The DFA model assigned ponds into use categories significantly better than chance (P < 0.005), but was less effective with an independent data set (P > 0.05). Road-rut ponds are potentially important habitat for forest-dwelling amphibians.