2014 amphibian surveys at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
St. Pierre M. 2015. 2014 amphibian surveys at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/KLGO/NRDS—2015/784. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Amphibian monitoring has been conducted annually at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park since 2004 with the primary goal to monitor long-term changes in amphibian distribution, abundance, reproduction, and survival at core breeding sites. The Park has two confirmed amphibian species, the western toad (Bufo boreas) and the Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris); however, toads are the primary focus of monitoring efforts due to their relative abundance in the Taiya River watershed. The monitoring season spanned a four month period from May 22 to September 22. A total of 59 routine visual encounter surveys were conducted at six core breeding sites in Dyea, three non-core sites, and extensive sites at Lost Lake, West Creek, and the White Pass. Breeding activity was observed at three of the core sites and one extensive site. A total of eight adult western toads, two egg masses, ~59,000 tadpoles, more than 60 juveniles, and hundreds of metamorphs were observed. One adult Columbia spotted frog was detected during the White Pass survey, but no evidence of breeding was observed. Four western toads were also fitted with radio-transmitters and tracked to identify upland habitat use, hibernation sites, and migration corridors.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- St. Pierre, Mallory
- Date of Issue
- 2015-04
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- KLGO , NRSS
- Keywords
- Alaska, Amphibian, Chytrid Fungus, Columbia Spotted Frog, Dyea, KLGO, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Lost Lake, Monitoring, Nelson Slough, Radio Tracking, Skagway, Taiya River, West Creek, Western toad, White Pass
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Amphibians and Reptiles