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Abstract
The Gopher frog (Rana capito), a species of concern in Georgia, has suffered population declines corresponding with the loss and alteration of southeastern Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems. Identifying habitat associations and remaining suitable habitat for the Gopher frog are essential first steps for implementing effective conservation management to sustain the species. In this study, I investigated Gopher frog and anuran occupancy among ponds within the Alapaha River Wildlife Management Area (ARWMA) using automated recording devices, dipnetting surveys, and egg mass surveys. I modeled detection rates and occupancy for the Gopher frog and a suite of winter-breeding anurans as a function of hydroperiod and canopy cover. I tested a technique to evaluate wetland hydroperiods of herbaceous and forested wetlands at ARWMA using a data set developed from Landsat imagery, and I developed a habitat suitability model that uses wetland and upland habitat attributes to identify potential breeding ponds for Gopher frogs at ARWMA.