Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountian CESU

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The US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK), is offering a funding opportunity for research to quantify the effects of recent wetland mitigation efforts in the GYE on amphibian and invertebrate communities. To compare natural, relatively pristine wetlands to recently constructed wetlands and to wetlands that have sustained impacts from road construction activity. To identify wetland design features that support a maximum diversity of amphibian and invertebrate species, thus improving future wetland mitigation efforts. To accomplish this, focus on two main objectives: 1) Compare species richness and community composition of amphibians and aquatic invertebrates among constructed, impacted, and natural wetlands; and 2) Compare amphibian recruitment in constructed wetlands and natural wetlands to determine if the former act as ecological traps. The study area will focus specifically on the 62km reconstruction of U.S. Highway 26-287 over Togwotee Pass between Dubois and Moran, Wyoming.

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