Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park 2012 Amphibian Monitoring Report
Welfelt J. 2012. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park 2012 Amphibian Monitoring Report. National Park Service. Skagway, Alaska
Amphibian monitoring has been conducted annually in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (KLGO) since 2004. KLGO has two confirmed amphibian species, Boreal Toads (Bufo boreas) and Columbia Spotted Frogs (Rana luteiventris). Boreal Toads are the primary focus of monitoring efforts due to their relative abundance in the Taiya River watershed. The primary goal of the project is to monitor long-term changes in amphibian distribution, abundance, reproduction, and survival rates at core breeding sites in lower Taiya River Watershed. In 2012, an additional component was added to the study using radio-telemetry to locate important non-breeding habitat features. Six Boreal Toads were fitted with radio-transmitters and tracked to identify upland habitat use, hibernation sites, and migration corridors. The 2012 monitoring season spanned a five-month period between April 23 and September 28. A total of 63 routine amphibian surveys were conducted at 9 core breeding sites in Dyea, 5 non-core sites, and extensive sites along the Chilkoot Trail corridor, Lost Lake, West Creek, Laughton Glacier, and the White Pass Unit. Boreal Toads were observed at 7 core sites with breeding activity observed at 4 of the core sites, and one extensive site. A total of 47 adult boreal toads, 8 of which were in amplexus, 22 juvenile, 25 egg masses, ~46,000 tadpoles, and 10,000 metamorphs were detected. One Boreal Toad and 9 adult Columbia Spotted Frogs were counted in the White Pass survey but no evidence of breeding was observed. Testing for chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) was conducted on all 6 radio-tagged toads, one Boreal Toad on the Chilkoot Trail, one toad from Laughton Glacier, one toad found in the White Pass Unit, and two Columbia Spotted Frogs found in the White Pass Unit. Three Boreal Toads tested positive for chytrid, two in site TR01 and one at DY03.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Welfelt, Jaime
- Date of Issue
- 2012-09
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- KLGO
- Keywords
- Alaska, Amphibian, Boreal toad, Bufo boreas, Chytrid Fungus, Columbia Spotted Frog, Habitat Assessment, KLGO, Klondike Gold Rush, Monitoring, Rana luteiventris
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Amphibians and Reptiles