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Alberta amphibian call surveys : a pilot year : final report

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The goal of this study was to determine whether an amphibian call survey is an effective method for collecting distribution and population size information on amphibian species in Alberta. Most... More ≫

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The goal of this study was to determine whether an amphibian call survey is an effective method for collecting distribution and population size information on amphibian species in Alberta. Most male frogs and toads, in the reproductive condition, use distinctive calls to attract mates. Call surveys exploit this behaviour to collect information on the various species that are calling. Call surveys using the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) protocol were conducted in the summer of 2001 to determine whether the protocol was a useful technique in monitoring amphibian populations in Alberta. It was found that call surveys are a good technique for determining presence of species that are more common. Rare species were not effectively monitored, however more work should be conducted during years when rain events are more common, to collect more information on the effectiveness of the survey protocol.

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Long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) monitoring study in Alberta : summary report 1998-2001

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Long-toed salamanders are listed as “sensitive” in Alberta due to isolated and discontinuous populations, limited breeding range, and vulnerability to habitat change. There are several known... More ≫

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Long-toed salamanders are listed as “sensitive” in Alberta due to isolated and discontinuous populations, limited breeding range, and vulnerability to habitat change. There are several known breeding areas in Alberta, all of which have been the subject of inventory. Variation in protocol makes it difficult to compare populations between years and study sites, and identify possible population trends. However, there has been a trend to discovering more breeding ponds with increased survey effort. There are a number of threats to long-toed salamander populations, primarily due to alteration or destruction of breeding ponds, and direct disturbances in shoreline areas, such as cattle and human activities, which destroy eggs. This document is an account of study results at each of the breeding areas, including considerations for continued monitoring, management and conservation.

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Protocol for monitoring long-toed salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) populations in Alberta

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This document is intended as a guide for studying long-toed salamanders, with emphasis on survey techniques and long-term monitoring. Egg surveys are recommended as the best method by which to... More ≫

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This document is intended as a guide for studying long-toed salamanders, with emphasis on survey techniques and long-term monitoring. Egg surveys are recommended as the best method by which to identify salamander presence, unless water turbidity limits visibility. Egg surveys can also be used as an indirect way to track population trends over time. Larvae searches can be used as an ancillary method to search for presence, but tend to be less reliable because larvae are mobile and cryptic. Capture methods include pitfall and minnow trapping. Capturing adults is useful for gathering data on body parameters and general health, and is considered secondary to pond surveys. Mark-recapture is the only method by which to gather data on population size or relative abundance, although it is a long-term, time-consuming process that is confounded by the stochasticity inherent in amphibian populations. Long-term monitoring of known breeding ponds is necessary to understand population trends and...

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