The New Jersey Pine Barrens is a globally rare ecosystem where the biota is well adapted to acidic, nutrient poor soil and water, and frequent wildfires. The Pine Barrens support ~14 species of anurans (i.e frogs and toads). Because anurans face a worldwide decline as a result of habitat loss and deforestation, it is important to understand the impact of water quality disturbance on anuran assemblages. I compared the difference in local species richness along a wetland disturbance gradient at the Warren Grove Gunnery Range to elucidate the effects of landscape change on anuran community structure. Anuran presence/absence, fire frequency, and water quality data were collected from ponds (n=23) from March – July 2016. Anuran community composition was correlated among environmental variables to determine the strength of relationships. Understanding the relationship between anuran species composition and abiotic parameters associated with land-use change will be imperative for the long-term conservation of these bio-indicator species.
