North America is home to many unique species that rightfully deserve their spotlight in the conservation world. Large, charismatic species are a visual reminder that it is important to protect wildlife and other natural resources for future generations. Can you imagine a Yellowstone National Park without iconic bison or majestic grizzly bears? Yet there are other increasingly imperiled species that deserve our attention.
Amphibians – a group that includes frogs, toads, salamanders and newts – might not be considered cute (although I disagree). They’re rarely high-profile enough to make anyone’s top ten lists, but that doesn’t change their vital role in a healthy ecosystem. As both predator and prey, any unnatural disruption to amphibians can have an impact on other wildlife up and down the food chain. And as indicator species, amphibians’ health can tell us a lot about the health of the surrounding environment.
Red-eyed tree frog
These undervalued creatures are also the most endangered group of animals in the world. According to the Global Amphibian Assessment, nearly a third of the world’s amphibians are threatened or extinct. Based on a U.S. Geological Survey study, imperiled species of toad, frogs, salamanders and newts are declining at a rate of 11.6 percent a year. The specific threats that amphibians face in the U.S. depend on where the species lives. Unfortunately most amphibians face not just one, but a combination of these factors.
Illegal Trade
Both domestically and internationally, there is a growing market for illegally-traded amphibians for pets and food. The Malagasy rainbow frog, red-eyed tree frog, and strawberry poison-dart frog have all seen massive impacts from this trade. Although unique, colorful frogs or salamanders might seem like fun pets, they could be an imperiled species captured from their home in the wild.
Disease
One particularly troubling threat to amphibians is disease like the chytrid fungus, which is wiping out amphibians around the world. The fungus is far-reaching, affecting amphibians in seemingly remote places. Species like the Wyoming toad, once a common sight in wetlands of Wyoming, may be one victim of this devastating disease. This toad is now one of the most endangered amphibians in North America, and was even declared extinct in the wild. Although recovery efforts are underway in places like the Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge, the toad still struggles with its limited population and range.
Non-native & Invasive Species
Non-native fish are often introduced to lakes for recreational fishing purposes. Since fish often eat small amphibians, this brings a new predator to the ecosystem, and can dramatically upset the natural balance. Similarly, bullfrogs – large, aggressive frogs native in the east but not the west – will also outcompete and eat other amphibians. In the Pacific Northwest, species like the Oregon spotted frog (listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2014), are falling victim non-native and invasive species. The Oregon spotted frog in particular has been lost from at least 78% of its former range.
Oregon spotted frog
Climate Change
As with many species, climate change is a serious concern for amphibians. Since most types of amphibians depend on water to reproduce (think of tadpoles in ponds) anything that can change how much water is available, or what temperature it is, can dramatically impact the species. In the Sierra Nevada region of California (a hot spot for amphibian biodiversity and home to a few recently listed species), byproducts of climate change such as drought could be deadly since many amphibians require just the right amount of water in their habitat. Although California’s drought is dominating headlines, drought and water level changes are occurring across the U.S. and can impact amphibians.
Habitat Loss
Amphibians across North America are also devastated by habitat loss due to direct human activity such as development, roads, timber harvest, livestock grazing, and even off-road vehicle use. The California tiger salamander has lost much of its habitat to agricultural and urban development. This species can also live in the burrows of ground squirrels. They lose this habitat and are often put in danger when humans try to reduce the number of squirrels through poison and other rodent control methods.
Flatwoods salamanders are another sad example of this threat. Reticulated flatwoods salamanders (endangered) and frosted flatwoods salamanders (threatened) are both protected under the Endangered Species Act. Both species are now restricted to small, scattered areas of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, since they rely on flatwood pine habitats to survive. Unfortunately, their habitat has been eaten away or fragmented by logging, commercial and residential development, roads, and other human activity.
California Tiger Salamander
Since the range of many amphibians can be extremely small, even seemingly minor impacts can make a huge difference. Just outside of Washington, DC in the Shenandoah Mountains, the endangered Shenandoah Salamander hides in high elevations. However, despite their nocturnal nature and being somewhat protected within a National Park, they may be threatened by invasive species (like gypsy moths, which harm their forests), acidic soil (caused by pollution), and other factors that harm the ecosystem. Even hikers or campers who veer off-trail could potentially damage their limited habitat.
Shenandoah salamander
What Can We Do?
Amphibians face a challenging future, but I remain hopeful that they stand a chance. We have to continue trying to protect healthy habitat, fight diseases like chytrid, put an end to illegal trade, reduce the demand for the pet trade and do what we can to help species adapt to a changing climate.
We as individuals can also play a role in their survival. Always be a good steward of nature by staying on designated hiking trails and leaving amphibians in their home (wild animals never make good pets!). If you’re out camping, be sure to pay attention to firewood regulations (invasive insects can be introduced through wood from non-native trees). If you buy an amphibian for a pet, make sure that it’s not caught from the wild. Additionally, don’t release pet amphibians into the wild (non-native amphibians can spread disease and outcompete with native amphibians). Educate others on how important amphibians are to our environment. With continued research and awareness hopefully we won’t see our valuable amphibians hopping away for good.
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