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Analysis of researching amphibian numbers in Alberta (RANA) project : amphibian captures at pitfall trapping sites 1997-2008

Description

Declines in amphibian populations at local, regional and global scales have focused attention on this group of vertebrates. Of the 10 amphibian species in Alberta, seven are listed as "at risk" by... More ≫

Description

Declines in amphibian populations at local, regional and global scales have focused attention on this group of vertebrates. Of the 10 amphibian species in Alberta, seven are listed as "at risk" by provincial or federal agencies. In response to concern about amphibians populations, and a lack of amphibian monitoring in the province, the Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) program was initiated in 1997 with two main objectives: to collect long-term information on amphibian populations, and to increase public awareness of the importance of amphibians and wetland conservation. Seven RANA sites were established in Alberta and monitored using pitfall trapping at a designated poind within each study area. This report presents an analysis of pitfall trapping data collected between 1997 and 2008.

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Status of the Great Plains toad (Bufo [Anaxyrus] cognatus) in Alberta : update 2009

Description

This wildlife status report looks at the Great Plains toad, a moderately large toad species and one of three species of the genus Bufo found in Alberta (the other species being the western toad... More ≫

Description

This wildlife status report looks at the Great Plains toad, a moderately large toad species and one of three species of the genus Bufo found in Alberta (the other species being the western toad and the Canadian toad). The Great Plains toad prefers ephemeral, clear, shallow ponds within areas of sandy soil in the mixed grasslands of southeastern Alberta, which is the northwestern extreme of the species' global range. This report compiles and summarizes the most recent information available on the Great Plains toad in Alberta as a means toward updating the species' current provincial status. It is part of the Alberta Wildlife Status Report series, which provides comprehensive summaries of selected wildlife species intended to be useful to those managing populations of species and their habitats, and to help identify species that may be formally designated as endangered or threatened.

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Distribution and population trends of the Canadian toad (Anaxyrus hemiophrys) in Alberta

Description

The objectives of this study were to collect and collate all available data on Canadian toads and conduct a preliminary assessment of the trends in distribution and population size for the... More ≫

Description

The objectives of this study were to collect and collate all available data on Canadian toads and conduct a preliminary assessment of the trends in distribution and population size for the Canadian toad in Alberta. Canadian toads are still widespread, but the number of populations seems to have decreased in the Parkland and Grasslands regions of Alberta despite an increase in survey effort. The lack of province-wide, standardized surveys makes it difficult to assess the status of Canadian toad in Alberta. However, comparing the proportion of Canadian toad observations reported from 1998-2007 versus 1988-1997, to observations of other anuran species (wood frogs, chorus frogs, and western toads) suggests a decline has occurred.

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Columbian Mountain amphibian surveys, 2001

Description

An amphibian survey of breeding habitat in the montane and subalpine subregions of the Oldman, Crowsnest and Castle River drainages was carried out in 2001. The survey was designed to collect... More ≫

Description

An amphibian survey of breeding habitat in the montane and subalpine subregions of the Oldman, Crowsnest and Castle River drainages was carried out in 2001. The survey was designed to collect information on occurrence of breeding ponds for long-toed salamander and Columbia spotted frog, and also provided information on western toad and tiger salamander. Threats to subalpine and montane amphibian populations were identified. They included fish stocking, loss of wetlands, degradation and loss of terrestrial habitat, and all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) use in breeding ponds. Project recommendations include long-term monitoring with a repeat of this survey in 5 years, establishment of a Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) site in the Castle drainage, maintenance of buffers around breeding ponds, rerouting of ATV trails, and research on long-toed salamanders in fish bearing vs. nonfish-bearing ponds.

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