2.3.1. Amphibians

In addition to timing sampling events with amphibian breeding phenology, we employed multiple survey techniques to further maximize detection of amphibians and establish species use. Prior to other sampling, we approached wetlands in silence and listened for amphibian calls for 5–10 min, depending on the variety of species heard. Following call surveys, we visually surveyed the water and banks of the wetland for amphibian adults, eggs, and larvae. We searched for amphibians under rocks, logs, and other objects within 5 m of the wetland, being careful to return features to their original locations and positions to maintain the integrity of the wetlands and surrounding habitats. We used dip nets to survey larval amphibians, in addition to examining larval amphibians captured during macroinvertebrate sampling (see next section). Field-identified amphibians were released at their location of capture. We collected voucher specimens of larval amphibians that were not easily identified in the field. Voucher specimens were anesthetized and dispatched using a 1:12,500 neutral buffered Finquel MS-222 (Argent Chemical Laboratories Inc., Redmond, WA, USA) solution, then preserved in a neutral buffered 10% Formalin solution and stored in glass collection jars. Voucher specimens were identified using a dissecting microscope.
