The distribution of Rana temporaria L. (Amphibia) in an acidified and a non-acidified region of Norway

Abstract

The common frog Rana temporaria L. was absent from a poorly buffered, anthropogenically acidified, inland area (Solhomfjell) of Southern Norway where the pH values of ponds and lakes ranged from 4.3 to 4.8 and the Al_a concentration was usually below 150 μg/L. Closer to the coast, the calcium concentration was higher and R. temporaria was present, although not common. Successful spawning and larval development were recorded at pH values down to 4.6 and an Al_a concentration of 100-300 μg/L. In a reference area (Høylandet) in Central Norway with similar altitude, geology and flora, and a pH in the range of 4.6 to 6.8, R. temporaria was very common at all pH levels. The Al_a concentration was usually below 100 μg/L. The comparison between Solhomfjell and Høylandet strongly suggests that acidification explains the absence of R. temporaria at Solhomfjell. This was also demonstrated indirectly by the use of multivariate analyses, although chloride (NaCl) was shown to be the most important explanatory factor for the presence of R. temporaria in the acidified area. Also at Høylandet, where pH was not directly limiting, the lack of salts, and also increased humus content in the water, to some degree restricted the distribution of the frog. In both areas, a pH of approximately 4.6 may be critical for R. temporaria populations in small, poorly buffered, boggy, water bodies like those we have investigated.