Alien mink predation induces prolonged declines in archipelago amphibians

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Invasive Species Management

Background:

• Global amphibian populations face severe declines due to human activities.
• Invasive predators, particularly in island ecosystems, represent a significant threat to biodiversity.
• The impact of predators on adult amphibians, crucial for population dynamics, remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of invasive American mink removal on amphibian populations in the Finnish Archipelago.
• To assess the differential responses of common frogs (Rana temporaria) and common toads (Bufo bufo) to predator removal.

Main Methods:

• Long-term, large-scale removal of American mink (Mustela vison).
• Monitoring amphibian population densities and distribution in response to predator removal.
• Evaluating the role of prey palatability in predator-prey interactions.

Main Results:

• Common frog densities and distribution significantly increased following American mink removal.
• Common toad populations did not show a similar increase, likely due to their unpalatable skin.
• The positive effects of mink removal on frog recovery were delayed, indicating slow maturation rates in harsh environments.

Conclusions:

• Invasive predator removal can benefit native amphibian populations, specifically common frogs.
• Species-specific traits, such as palatability, influence vulnerability to invasive predators.
• Conservation strategies must consider long-term ecological processes, including delayed maturation, for effective biodiversity recovery.