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Teaming with Wildlife |
Wildlife Diversity Program : Frog and Toad Call Survey
Gray Treefrog, Photo Courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation Every year starting in late March to early April, the chorus begins. The Western chorus frog is usually the first to find its voice with its ascending, constantly repeating crrreeek and it is quickly, if not simultaneously joined by the soprano chirp of spring peepers or the rumbling, snoring leopard frog bass. The singers are all males, and they are trying to attract a female for mating. The chorus can be deafening, but for those of us listening it is a welcome and sure sign of spring. And every year, since 1991, at wetlands across the state, dedicated volunteers have been there, listening and collecting data on what's singing. These volunteers are a part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' Frog and Toad Call Survey. This survey is coordinated by the DNR's Wildlife Diversity program and is based on the national North American Amphibian Monitoring Program. Iowa's survey is one of the longest running in the country and in its sixteen-year history, over 13,000 call surveys have been done on more than 1200 wetland sites in 82 of Iowa's 99 counties. The value of this survey is multifaceted. The wildlife diversity program is small and without the dedication of these volunteers, it would be impossible to collect data over such a large area (statewide) and time period. The survey provides us with data that allows us to: 1) determine distribution range extensions, 2) monitor population trends and 3) have an index for water quality. The survey was started because of serious concern over the global, precipitous decline of many amphibian species. This decline is most often attributed to ever - increasing pollution in aquatic environments. All amphibians spend at least part of their life in the water and due to their highly permeable skin they are very sensitive to pollutants. Declines can also be due to other factors such as habitat loss (Iowa has drained ~ 95% of its wetlands), or invasive species such as the bullfrog which in Iowa has been expanding its range. It is an aggressive predator of other frog and toad species. In order to run a frog and toad call survey, volunteers receive a packet which includes a tape or cd of frog and toad calls to learn. Once the calls of Iowa's 17 species are learned the next step is to pick 5-8 wetland sites to survey. Each of these wetland sites are then surveyed 3 times annually between April and early July. Surveys are done after dark under appropriate weather conditions. Data is collected on species of frogs calling and on environmental conditions. For each site, 3 years worth of data are needed in order to detect population trends. Interested in getting involved? Every year in March we hold training workshops in various locations around the state as a part of our
Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program. Keep an eye on the website for dates and locations. If you have further questions about this survey please contact coordinator, Stephanie Shepherd at 515-432-2823 x 102,
Stephanie.Shepherd@dnr.state.ia.us. Thanks for your interest!
If you cannot download the above instructions and forms...
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