New Report on State of Sierra Frogs and Toads

Posted by Sierra Nevada Alliance Weekly

October 23, 2008

Six of the native frogs and toads of the Sierra Nevada and California Cascade ranges are experiencing dramatic declines in population. For example, the California red-legged frog, the largest native frog in the western United States, can no longer be found across 70 percent of its historic range in California and has almost completely disappeared from the Sierra foothills. These hard hit critters are part of a larger Global Amphibian Crisis; 40% of the world's 6000 labeled amphibian species have declined recently and nearly one third are facing extinction. The latest publication of the Sierra Nevada Alliance, State of Sierra Frogs and Toads: A report on the status of frogs and toads in the Sierra Nevada and California Cascade Mountains, draws attention to this local crisis in order to raise awareness and public concern.

The Report covers a number of issues including:

• The value of Sierra and Cascade frogs and toads
• An overview of individual species experiencing declines
• An examination of the current stressors to those populations, which includes climate change, the chytrid disease and the introduction of non-native species.
•  Potential next steps to address these issues
• And a long list of resources to help local citizens and decision-makers, environmental organizations and resource managers better understand the problems facing Sierra frogs and toads, their far-reaching implications and how to make a difference.

Download a free copy from the website.