Description

This program captures counts of amphibian egg masses used to measure abundance and distribution trends in the breeding populations of Red-legged Frogs (Rana aurora) and Northwestern Salamanders (Ambystoma gracile) in the Long Beach Unit of the park. It is assumed that one egg-mass represents one breeding female. The Red-legged Frog is listed as a species of Special Concern (COSEWIC 2004). Surveys represent a complete visual census of selected representative lakes and wetlands (representing different wetland types, sizes and at variable distances from roads) and occur annually in the spring. Northwestern Salamanders breed later than Red-legged frogs but late March is normally the best dates to survey both species. The exact dates are determined on a yearly basis by visiting a few easily accessible wetlands in late January and February to see when the first Red-legged Frog egg masses appear. The combination of wetland breeding areas and adjacent upland forests are critical for amphibian survival. The development of watersheds, highway traffic, disturbance of ditch habitat, introduced fish, bullfrogs and diseases and recreational activities all have the potential to reduce the survival of larvae, juveniles and adults of native amphibian species. Thus, amphibian populations are good indicators of the hydrology, water quality, presence of exotics, and overall health of a wetland and its surrounding ecosystem.

Resources

Name	Format	Description	Link
Native Amphibians - Pacific Rim - Data	CSV		https://open.canada.ca/data/dataset/741f9aee-555d-4ec1-a8fe-3a550a9d5ecf/resource/17b073d4-ed5d-4350-baea-370968329320/download/pacific_rim_npr_freshwater_native_amphibians_2008-2017_data.csv

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