Designation of amphibian corridor referring to the frog’s climbing ability

Ecological Engineering 83 (2015) 152–158

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Designation of amphibian corridor referring to the frog’s climbing ability Yuan-Hsiou Changa,* , Bing-Yu Wua,b a b

Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, Mingdao University, Changhua 52345, Taiwan Department of Graduate Institute of Architecture and Sustainable Planning of Ilan University, Ilan 26047, Taiwan

A R T I C L E I N F O

A B S T R A C T

Article history: Received 9 January 2015 Received in revised form 15 April 2015 Accepted 23 May 2015 Available online xxx

In this study, we measured the body weight, body length, jump height, jump length, and climbing abilities of three species of frogs indigenous to Taiwan. The results were used to design an amphibian corridor suitable for amphibian mobility. Twenty specimens for each of the three species, Rana adenopleura,Rana latouchii, and Kurixalus idiootocus, were collected for testing. Their climbing ability on different matrix angles, materials, temperatures, and humidity were tested. The results showed that the jump height and jump length of the three frog species were in a descending order of R. adenopleura > R. latouchii > K. idiootocus. When tested in different climatic environments and climbing matrices, female frogs of all three species showed better climbing ability than that of male frogs. Generally speaking, the influence of climatic conditions on climbing ability was in a descending order of high temperature and high humidity > high temperature and low humidity > low temperature and high humidity > low temperature and low humidity. The steeper the matrix slope, the lower the climbing ability. The findings can provide useful reference for researchers of amphibian corridors in the future. ã 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Ecological engineering Climb ability Amphibian Corridor

1. Introduction Urban development and natural conservation in cities are competing issues (Yu et al., 2012). An ecological corridor is a type of ecological engineering, which aims to reduce the continuous disappearance of biological existence, reproduction, and migration, as resulted from the interference of human activities (Chen, 2011). The damages of environments due to human-induced overdevelopment have changed the biodiversity, abundance, and composition of the ecosystem (Kim and Byrne, 2006; Stenseth et al., 2002; Dirzo and Raven, 2003; Turner et al., 2004; Biesmeijer et al., 2006; Bin et al., 2014; Deyong et al., 2012). Alan et al. (2012) indicated that the ecological corridor could enhance biodiversity, but man-made facilities still affect habitat fragmentation. Transportation, road construction, and noise have negative impacts on environments, such as the road-kills of animals on the road, pollution in natural habitats, and population extinction (Bohemen, 1998; Zhang et al., 2010; Lin, 2006). Fahrig et al. (1995) argued that the globally increased traffic volume might indirectly reduce the amphibian population, especially in densely populated regions. In

* Corresponding author at: Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, Mingdao University Changhua, No. 369, Wen-Hua Rd., Peetow, Changhua 52345, Taiwan. Fax: +886 4 8782134. E-mail address: [email protected] (Y.-H. Chang). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.05.049 0925-8574/ ã 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Taiwan’s Alishan National Scenic Area, the concrete riverbanks for tourist safety have indeed fragmented the habitats of the organisms (Hou et al., 2010). Chen (2003) and Wang (2006) indicated that habitat fragmentation is one of the major causes of regional population extinction, thus, effective ecological corridors should be set to relieve this situation. Wang (2009) stressed the importance of enhancing urban greening and biodiversity, as well as building ecological corridors. Bergen et al. (2001) defined ecological engineering as an engineering mode that is developed in response to man-made development for the purpose of environmental protection. Therefore, the design of infrastructures should aim to mitigate the environmental impacts (Kuo, 2006). Ecological corridors are designed to guide organisms to safely move to another habitat, and prevent them from entering into hazardous areas, such construction sites or roads (Chang et al., 2013; Elsevier, 2012; Liu and Chen, 2008). On the same principle, the fish ladder helps fish migrate, thus alleviating the large dam barrier effect on the migration rate of fish (Adam et al., 2012; Christos and John, 2012; Peter and Giuseppe, 2012). The amphibians play an important role in Taiwan’s ecosystem (Lue, 1996; Hou et al., 2008). Yang (1999) found that Rana adenopleura is widely distributed in mountainous swamps and still water areas below 2000 m across Taiwan, especially in areas with flourishing hydrophyte. The difference between male and female frogs is slight. The average body length of male frogs is 6.5 cm,

Y.-H. Chang, B.-Y. Wu / Ecological Engineering 83 (2015) 152–158

while that of female frogs is 6.5 cm. Yang (2010) and Xu (1991) reported that Rana latouchii is widely distributed over Taiwan’s plains and mountainous areas of medium and low elevations, in stagnant pools with aquatic plants, and ditches and streams with slow flow. They also inhabit cities, and breed all year round. The difference between male and female is slight. The average body length of male frogs is 4.5 cm, and that of female frogs is 5.5 cm. According to Yang (1999), Kurixalus idiootocus is widely distributed in mountainous areas at medium and low elevations in the west of Taiwan. Hou et al. (2010) and Chang et al. (2011) proposed the method for measuring the body weight, body length, and toe surface area of amphibians. Green and Carson (1988) used a tensiometer to measure the climbing ability of frogs on a glass matrix. Zhang (1989) used an electronic weighing scale to gauge body weight of K. idiootocus, and used a vernier caliper to measure its straightened body length. Hou et al. (2008) measured the jump height of frogs by coiling several 1 mm thick cardboards into paper tubes with an inner diameter of 5 cm and height of 5–20 cm, and placing the paper tubes at vertical intervals of 1 cm. K. idiootocus was placed in different tubes, and stimulated by Chinese silvergrass to jump. To measure the jump length, Hou et al. (2009a) placed K. idiootocus in a fixed position on a flat plate larger than 100
100 cm, and averaged five times of jump length. The results of this study provides useful information for the slope of the amphibious corridor based on the frogs climbing ability and provides landscape, architecture and ecological engineers to for construction and designation. 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Materials 2.1.1. Species selection R. adenopleura, R. latouchii, and K. idiootocus are common found in the still water areas of mountainous areas at medium and low altitudes in Taiwan. These three species were selected for this study. R. adenopleura and R. latouchii were caught in the Taipei Wulai mountain area at longitude 121564379 East, latitude 24 869492 North. K. idiootocus was caught in Yilan Changpi Lake at longitude 121612202 East, latitude 24 645280 North. 2.1.2. Measuring instruments The body lengths of the amphibians were measured by a vernier caliper. The measuring range was 100 mm/400 and size was 118.218400 . The weights of amphibians were measured by an

153

electronic scale in the unit of gram. The precision of the scale was 1/2000 and the size was 215 mm
150 mm. The tape length was 5 m for measuring the jump length and jump height of amphibians. 2.1.3. Amphibian corridor In this study, we proposed an amphibian corridor design that can maintain separation between the tourists on the riverbanks and the amphibians in water areas (Fig. 1(a)). The main structure is a steel pipes with a diameter of 3 cm, laid with 2 cm thick coconut fiber mat, and 2 cm thick soil. Hydrophyte is planted on the top, and a hinge is mounted between the bottom and the concrete banks, allowing the corridor angle to be adjustable with the water level (Fig. 1(b)). The latches and the corridor bottom are connected by nylon rope to limit the inclination of the corridor body. When the water level becomes too high in a torrential rain, a nylon rope is pulled and the latches are drawn out, thus automatically disconnecting the corridor from the concrete bank to form a floating island. The latches are restored when the water level resumes after the rain. Our future study will import the complete experimental data into the amphibian corridor design, thereby determining appropriate corridor angles and normalizing stopper length. Well-designed corridor can effectively conserve the migration of the ecological population (Fig. 1(c)). 2.2. Methods 2.2.1. Sampling mode and sample quantity According to the on-site patch sampling, as proposed by Lue (1996), and according to the sampling mode of Chang et al. (2011) and Yu (1976), 20 samples were collected for each of three species, namely R. adenopleura, R. latouchii, and K. idiootocus. The samples were divided into male and female groups. Each group had 10 samples, totaling 60 samples. The experiment was completed within 14 days, and the frogs were released back to their original habitat. 2.2.2. Body weight and body length According to Chang (2011) and Chang et al. (2013), the body weights of the frogs were measured by an electronic scale, and the snout–vent length was measured by a vernier caliper. 2.2.3. Jump height and jump length According to Cadiergues et al. (2000), the frogs were confined to a paper-made space, with a diameter of 10 cm, height of 60 cm, and height scale mark of 1 cm. The frogs were stimulated by Chinese silvergrass to jump, and their jump heights were recorded. To

Fig. 1. The structure and material of amphibian corridor.

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3. Results and discussion 3.1. Body weight and body length The descending order of body weight and body length is R. adenopleura (,) > R. latouchii (,) > R. adenopleura (<) > R. latouchii (<) > K. idiootocus (,) > K. idiootocus (<). Female frogs are generally heavier and larger than male frogs. R. adenopleura (,) has the heaviest body weight of 22.5  4.1 g and body length of 5.9  0.3 cm; K. (<) has the lowest body weight of 1.3  0.1 g and body length of 2.9  0.1 cm. R. adenopleura weighs heavier than K. idiootocus by 19 times, and the body is longer by 3.2 cm. It is obvious that body weight is positively correlated with body length (Fig. 2).

4.2 16 2.1 8

0

0 Rana Ran a adenopleura(♂) adenopleura(♂)

Rana latouchii(♂) Weight

Rana latouchii(♂)

Kurixalus idiootocus(♂)

Kurixalus idiootocus(♂)

Length

Fig. 2. Three species frogs’ weight and length.

(,) > K. idiootocus (<). R. adenopleura (<) has the best jump height and distance, namely 30.6  5.8 cm and 81.9  11.3 cm, respectively; K. idiootocus (<) has the worst jump height and distance, 12.7  3 cm and 35.6  7 cm, respectively. R. adenopleura (<) jumps higher than K. idiootocus (<) by 20.7 cm, with a difference of 2.3 times; moreover, it jumps farther by 50.6 cm, with a difference of 2.1 times (Fig. 3). 3.3. Climbing ability 3.3.1. Grass On a grass matrix, the climbing abilities of the frogs under the four climatic conditions are in a descending order of K. idiootocus (,) > K. idiootocus (<) > R. adenopleura (,) > R. latouchii (,) > R. adenopleura (<) > R. latouchii (<). The best climbing ability is found in the high temperature and high humidity environment (Fig. 4(a)), and worst is in the low temperature and low humidity environment (Fig. 4(d)). In the high temperature and high humidity environment, at a slope of 45 , K. idiootocus (,) has the best climbing ability of 0.16(
102 N/g), which is better than the 0.017 (
102 N/g) of R. latouchii (<), by 0.143(
102 N/g). The difference is almost 9.5 times. Moreover, it is higher than the 0.88(
102 N/g) in low temperature and low humidity environment by 0.72 (
102 N/g), and the difference is almost double. R. adenopleura and R. latouchii have poor climbing ability at a slope over 60 ; while that of K. idiootocus is reduced by 12%. It is obvious that temperature and humidity influence the mobility of amphibians. In an environment with high temperature and humidity, the climbing ability is better, and at a large matrix angle, the climbing ability is poorer.

40

100

35

90

3.2. Jump height and jump length

Table 1 The climatic conditions set for experimental. Hydrous

Surface moisture 100% Surface moisture 0%

80 30

High jump (cm)

The descending order of jump length is R. adenopleura (<) > R. adenopleura (,) > R. latouchii (,) > R. latouchii (<) > K. idiootocus

70 25

60

20

50

15

40 30

10

Temp.

Length (cm)

24

20

Low altitude (32  C)

Low Altitude (14  C)

5

High temp. high hydrous Summer/rain High temp. low hydrous Summer/sunny

Low temp high hydrous Winter/rain Low temp low hydrous Winter/rain

0

10 0 Rana Rana adenopleura(♂ ) adenopleura(♂)

Rana latouchii(♂)

High jump

Rana latouchii(♂)

Kurixalu s idiootocus(♂ )

Kur ixalu s idiootocus(♂ )

Long jump

Fig. 3. Three species frogs’ high and long jump ability.

Long jump (cm)

2.2.4. Climbing ability Referring to Green, the amphibians were packed with wet cloth, and a cotton thread was fixed between the amphibian and the electronic tension meter. The cotton thread and tension meter were in parallel with the matrix surface and gradually pulled back in order for the electronic tension meter to measure the climbing ability of the amphibians. The measuring unit was kg m/s2, and the measurement was repeated five times at intervals of 1 min. The mean values and standard deviations were recorded. The frogs’ skin was kept wet. Five common matrices in the field were selected according to Hou et al. (2009b), including grass (Miscanthus floridulus), cobblestone, wood (Lauan), clay, and concrete. The matrix slope was set at intervals of 15 within the range of 15 –75 . According to Chiou (2002), we simulated a summer environment of 32  C, and the solar radiation by non-infrared reflecting film halogen light bulbs. As described in the “Door and window heat insulation test” of CNS10523 (1987), we simulated a winter environment of 14  C by indoor air conditioning and ice cubes. Four climatic environments were simulated, including high temperature and high humidity; high temperature and low humidity; low temperature and high humidity; low temperature and low humidity. The climbing abilities of frogs in the four climatic environments were measured (Table 1). Finally, the optimal climbing ability of the three frog species were calculated, in order to select the most suitable matrix type and slope for riverbanks and mountainous still water areas at medium and low altitudes in Taiwan. The optimal stopper length of the amphibian corridor was also obtained.

6.3

32

Weight (g)

measure the jump length, the frogs were placed on a 120 cm
120 cm wooden board, and their snout was the measuring point. The frogs were stimulated by Chinese silvergrass to jump horizontally, and the jump distance was measured by tape. Each individual was tested five times for jump height and jump length, recovery time was 5 min between the jumps.

Y.-H. Chang, B.-Y. Wu / Ecological Engineering 83 (2015) 152–158

High Temperature High Hydrous 0.18

155

High Temperature High Hydrous

(a)

0.14

0.16

(a)

0.12

0.14 0.12

0.1

0.1

0.08

0.08

0.06

0.06 0.04

0.04

0.02

0.02 0

0

High Temperature Low Hydrous 0.18

(b)

0.14

0.16

487

0.12

High Temperature Low Hydrous

(b)

0.14 0.1

488

Climbing Ability(N) /Weight (g)炷KgɄm/s2 /g炸

Climbing Ability(N) /Weight (g)炷KgɄm/s2 /g炸

0.12 0.1 0.08

489

0.06 0.04

490

0.02 0

491

0.15

(c)

0.12

493

Low Temperature High Hydrous

0.09

494

0.06

495

0.03

496

0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0 0.07

Low Temperature High Hydrous

(c)

0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0

0 0.16 0.14 0.12 0.1 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0

Low Temperature Low Hydrous

(d)

0.08

Low Temperature Low Hydrous

(d)

0.07 0.06

499

0.05 0.04

500

0.03 0.02

501

0.01 0

15ˤ

30ˤ

45ˤ

60ˤ

75ˤ

15ˤ

30ˤ

45ˤ

60ˤ

75ˤ

Rana ad enopl eura(♂ )

Rana lat ouchii(♂ )

Kurixalus idio oto cus( ♂ )

Rana adenopl eura(♂ )

Ran a latou chi i(♂ )

Kurixalus idio oto cus( ♂ )

Rana adenopleura(♀ )

Rana latou chii(♀ )

Kurixalus idiootocus(♀ )

Ran a adenopleura(♀ )

Ra na lat ouchii( ♀ )

Kurixalus idiootocus(♀ )

Fig. 4. Climbing ability of different climatic conditions on grass.

Fig. 5. Climbing ability of different climatic conditions on wood.

3.3.2. Wood On the wood matrix, the climbing abilities of the frogs under the four climatic conditions are in the descending order of K. idiootocus (,) > R. adenopleura (,) > R. latouchii (,) > K. idiootocus (<) > R. adenopleura (<) > R. latouchii (<). K. idiootocus (,) has the best climbing ability in the high temperature and high humidity environment at a 15 slope (Fig. 5(a)), namely over 0.12(
102 N/ g). It is higher than the 0.6(
102 N/g) of R. latouchii (<) by double. The mobility under four climatic conditions is in the order of high temperature and high humidity > high temperature and low humidity > low temperature and high humidity > low temperature

and low humidity. In the low temperature and low humidity environment, the climbing ability of K. idiootocus (,) is 0.068 (
102 N/g), which is higher than the 0.028(
102 N/g) of R. adenopleura (<) by 0.04(
102 N/g), with a difference of 2.4 times (Fig. 5(d)). 3.3.3. Cobblestone On the cobblestone matrix, the climbing abilities of the frogs under four climatic conditions are in a descending order of high temperature and high humidity > high temperature and low humidity > low temperature and high humidity > low temperature

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latouchii (,) have no climbing ability. It is thus proven that the ambient temperature, humidity, and climbing slope influence the mobility of amphibians.

High Temperature High Hydrous 0.09

(a)

0.08 0.07

3.3.4. Concrete On a concrete matrix, the climbing abilities of the frogs under four climatic conditions have the greatest gender different in high temperature and high humidity, as well as high temperature and low humidity environments. R. adenopleura (,) has the best climbing ability of 0.08(
102 N/g), which is higher than the 0.06 (
102 N/g) of R. adenopleura (<) by 0.02. The climbing ability

0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0 0.09

High Temperature Low Hydrous

(b)

High Temperature High Hydrous 0.08

0.08 0.07 0.06

0.06

0.05

0.05

0.04

0.04

0.03

0.03

0.02

0.02

0.01

0.01

0

0

Low Temperature High Hydrous 0.12

High Temperature Low Hydrous

(c)

0.08

0.1

0.07

0.08

0.06

(b)

0.05

Climbing Ability(N) /Weight (g)炷KgɄm/s2 /g炸

Climbing Ability(N) /Weight (g)炷KgɄm/s2/g炸

(a)

0.07

0.06 0.04 0.02 0

Low Temperature Low Hydrous 0.12

(d)

0.1 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0

15ˤ

30ˤ

45ˤ

60ˤ

75ˤ

Ran a adenopl eura(ˡ)

Rana latouchii(ˡ)

Kurixalus idiootocus( ˡ)

Ran a adenopleura(˟)

Rana lato uchii(˟)

Kurixalu s idio oto cus( ˟)

0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0

Low Temperature High Hydrous 0.07

(c)

0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0

Fig. 6. Climbing ability of different climatic conditions on cobblestone.

Low Temperature Low Hydrous 0.07

(d)

0.06 0.05

and low humidity. K. idiootocus (,) has the best climbing ability in a high temperature and high humidity environment, at a slope of 45 , namely 0.09(
102 N/g) (Fig. 6(a)). It is better than the 0.032 (
102 N/g) of R. latouchii (<) by 0.058, with a difference of 2.8 times. K. idiootocus has the worst performance in a low temperature and low humidity environment, namely 0.058 (
102 N/g). Its difference from the high temperature and high humidity environment is 3.2. The climbing difference of the three frog species is the greatest at a slope of 75 , that of K. idiootocus (<, ,) is 0.04 and 0.08(
102 N/g); whereas, R. adenopleura (,) and R.

0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0

15ˤ

30ˤ

45ˤ

60ˤ

75ˤ

Ran a adenopleura(ˡ)

Ran a latou chi i(ˡ)

Kurixalu s idi ooto cus( ˡ)

Ran a adenopleura(˟)

Ran a latou chi i(˟)

Kurixalu s idi ooto cus( ˟)

Fig. 7. Climbing ability of different climatic conditions on concrete.

Y.-H. Chang, B.-Y. Wu / Ecological Engineering 83 (2015) 152–158

declines as the angle increases, especially for R. adenopleura and R. latouchii. In a high temperature and high humidity environment, at a slope of 15 , the climbing ability of R. adenopleura (<) is 0.059 (
102 N/g), and is only 0.001(
102 N/g) when the slope is 75 , meaning it is reduced by 0.058, and the difference is 59 times. The climbing ability of R. adenopleura (,) is 0.08(
102 N/g), and is only 0.002(
102 N/g) when the slope is 75 , which is reduced by 0.078, and the difference is 40 times. The climbing ability of R. latouchii (<) is 0.053(
102 N/g), and is 0.008(
102 N/g) when the slope is 75 . The difference is 0.045 and about 6.6 times. The climbing

High Temperature High Hydrous 0.07

(a)

0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0

High Temperature Low Hydrous 0.06

(b)

0.05

Climbing Ability(N) /Weight (g)炷KgɄm/s2 /g炸

0.04

ability of R. latouchii (,) is 0.065(
102 N/g), and is 0.007(
102 N/ g) when the slope is 0.007. The difference is 0.058 and about 9.2 times (Fig. 7(a)). Therefore, the ambient temperature, humidity, and climbing slope influence the moving range of amphibians, and indirectly influence their viability. 3.3.5. Clay On the clay matrix, R. adenopleura and R. latouchii have better climbing ability than K. idiootocus, and have the best mobility in a high temperature and high humidity environment at a slope of 15 –30 . R. latouchii (,) has the best climbing ability of 0.66 (
102 N/g), which is 1.8 times higher than the 0.048(
102 N/g) of K. idiootocus (,) (Fig. 8(a)). The overall climbing ability is worst in the low temperature and low humidity environment. In the low temperature and low humidity environment at a slope of 60 , K. idiootocus (,) has the best climbing ability of 0.051(
102 N/g), which is higher than R. latouchii (< and ,) at 0.013 and 0.016 (
102 N/g) by 0.038 and 0.035. The difference is almost 1.3 times (Fig. 8(d)). R. adenopleura (,) has no climbing ability in the same environment. The above results indicated that the climbing ability of different frogs is various in different substrates on the amphibious corridor. For the designation and construction of the amphibious corridor, our data provides an statistic database including environmental conditions and the surface substrate of the amphibious corridor to meet the needs of amphibious biological and ecological habitat conservation. For example, base on local environmental conditions, the amphibious corridor needs to be set steeper, the designer could select the matrix that is easier for frog climbing and solves the limitation of environmental conditions. 4. Conclusions

0.03

This study tested an amphibian corridor of different slopes and determined the optimal stopper length and corridor angle for three species of frogs. The climbing abilities of the male and female frogs were tested on different slopes and matrixes. The results showed that female frogs are generally heavier and larger than male frogs, with body weight higher by about 1.5–2 times, and body length larger by 0.8–1.1 cm. The jump height and jump length of the three frog species in a descending order is R. adenopleura > R. latouchii > K. idiootocus. The jump height and distance of R. adenopleura (<) is larger than R. adenopleura (,) by 0.09 cm and 3.14 cm, respectively. The jump abilities of female R. latouchii and K. idiootocus are better than male frogs. The jump height is larger by 7.27 cm and 0.52 cm, respectively; and jump distance is longer by 29.64 cm and 6.45 cm, respectively. Generally speaking, female frogs have better jump ability than male frogs. Under four climatic conditions and on five matrices, the climbing ability of female frogs is better than male frogs. K.

0.02 0.01 0

Low Temperature High Hydrous 0.06

(c)

0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0

Low Temperature Low Hydrous 0.07

157

(d)

0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0 15ˤ

30ˤ

45ˤ

60ˤ

75ˤ

Rana adenopl eura(ˡ)

Ran a latou chi i(ˡ)

Kur ixalu s idio otocus(ˡ)

Rana adenopl eura(˟)

Ran a latou chi i(˟)

Kur ixalu s idio otocus(˟)

Fig. 8. Climbing ability of different climatic conditions on clay.

Fig. 9. The demonstration of amphibian corridor.

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Table 2 Ecological engineering design model data parameters (
102 N/g). Scientific name

Buergeria japonica (<) Buergeria japonica (,) Buergeia robustus (<) Buergeia robustus (,) Rana swinhoana (<) Rana swinhoana (,)

Stromal Grass

Wood

Cobblestone

Concrete

Clay

0.0033  0.0031 260 0.0045  0.0022 260 0.035  0.019 275 0.048  0.016 275 0.0024  0.0009 260 0.0022  0.0009 260

0.0139  0.0026 275 0.0295  0.007 275 0.064  0.019 275 0.082  0.006 275 0.018  0.009 275 0.023  0.003 275

0.012  0.003 275 0.016  0.008 275 0.078  0.017 275 0.009  0.008 275 0.006  0.002 260 0.005  0.002 260

0.0065  0.005 275 0.018  0.0047 260 0.035  0.007 275 0.0044  0.0058 275 0.0033  0.0056 275 0.0014  0.0016 260

0.0016  0.0007 230 0.0031  0.0014 230 0.0056  0.0033 245 0.06  0.027 245 0.007  0.004 245 0.0044  0.0019 245

Note: winter simulated environmental conditions, winter temperature is 8  C; substrate surface moisture content of 100%.

idiootocus has the best climbing ability on grass in a high temperature and high humidity environment, especially at a slope of 45 , namely 0.16(
102 N/g). R. adenopleura and R. latouchii have the best climbing ability on clay in a high temperature and high humidity environment, especially at a slope of 15 , namely 0.052 and 0.066(
102 N/g), respectively. Tree frogs have the best adaptability to grass, and ranas have the best adaptability to clay. The impact of climatic conditions on climbing ability in a descending order is high temperature and high humidity > high temperature and low humidity > low temperature and high humidity > low temperature and low humidity (Figs. 4–8). At a larger slope, the climbing ability is low. The findings can provide references for the design of waterside amphibian corridors (Table 2). The design diagram of amphibian corridor is shown in Fig. 9. References Adam, T.P., Rosalind, M.W., Paul, S.K., 2012. The influence of attraction flow on upstream passage of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) at intertidal barriers. Ecol. Eng. 44, 329–336. Alan, V., Isabelle, L.V., Philippe, C., 2012. Green corridors in urban landscapes affect the arthropod communities of domestic gardens. Biol. Conserv. 145 (1), 171–178. Bergen, S.D., Bolton, S.M., Fridley, J.L., 2001. Design principles for ecological engineering. Ecol. Eng. 18 (2), 201–210. Biesmeijer, J.C., Roberts, S.P.M., Reemer, M., Ohlemiller, R., Edwards, M., Peeters, T., Schaffer, A.D., Potts, S.G., Keenkers, R., Thomas, C.D., Settele, J., Kumin, W.E., 2006. Parallel declines in pollinators and insect-pollinated plants in Britain and the Netherlands. Science 313, 351–354. Bin, X., Deyong, Y., Yupeng, L., Ruifang, H., Yun, S., 2014. Quantifying isolation effect of urban growth on key ecological areas. Ecol. Eng. 69, 46–54. Bohemen, H.D., 1998. Habitat fragmentation, infrastructure and ecological engineering. Ecol. Eng. 11 (1–4), 199–207. Cadiergues, M.C., Joubert, C., Frane, M., 2000. A comparison of jump performances of the dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis (Curtis, 1826) and the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche, 1835). Vet. Parasitol. 92, 239–241. Chang, Y.H., Wang, H.W., Hou, W.S., 2011. Effects of construction materials and design of lake and stream banks on climbing ability of frogs and salamanders. Ecol. Eng. 37, 1726–1733. Chang, Y.H., Wu, B.Yu., Lu, H.L., 2013. A study on the use of ecological fences for protection against Polypedates megacephalus. Ecol. Eng. 61, 161–165. Chen, H.C., 2011. A Proposal for Ecological Stream Corridor Evaluation System in Lan-Yang Plain. National Ilan University. Chen, K.L., 2003. Feasibility of an Ecological Corridor Establishment Using the LeastCost-Analysis—A Case Study Between Taroko and Shei-Pa National Parks. National Dong Hwa University. Chiou, J.J., 2002. Passive Cooling Design Induced by Ventilation in Buildings and Bioenvironmental Facilities—A Case Study of Double Envelope with Air Flow Gap. National Taiwan University. Christos, K., John, G.W., 2012. The development of fish passage research in a historical context. Ecol. Eng. 48, 8–18. Deyong, Y., Bin, X., Peijun, S., Hongbo, S., Yupeng, L., 2012. Ecological restoration planning based on connectivity in an urban area. Ecol. Eng. 46, 24–33.

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