An adult female Oregon spotted frog
The degradation and loss of wetland habitats are one of the leading causes in the decline of Oregon spotted frogs. These frogs depend on the preservation of wetlands, and as wetlands are destroyed or altered, frogs lose their breeding and foraging grounds. This occurs when changes in temperature and precipitation patterns affect the Oregon spotted frog’s habitat, altering water availability and drying wetlands. Many frog species are highly sensitive to temperature and moisture levels, and shifts in these conditions can render habitats unsuitable for breeding and survival.
As climate conditions change, frogs attempt to migrate to more suitable habitats. However, barriers such as urban development or unsuitable landscapes can hinder their ability to move. When fragmentation of wetland habitats occur, the movement and dispersal of Oregon spotted frogs are disrupted. As a result, populations of frogs become isolated from one another and are at higher risk for genetic issues, disease, and local extinction. In areas where habitat alteration has occurred, the natural balance of predator-prey relationships has often also been disturbed, resulting in frogs being more vulnerable to predators. Warmer temperatures can promote the growth and spread of diseases, including chytrid. The introduction of non-native species and disease has also contributed to their loss: our very own breeding population of Oregon spotted frogs have been infected with the deadly chytrid fungus in the past.
Climate change can also affect the behaviour of frogs, including their mating calls, feeding patterns, and hibernation cycles. These changes may impact their ability to find mates, locate food, and survive through unfavourable conditions. It is not too late, however!
Let’s leap into action!
Addressing the impact of climate change on frog populations requires a combination of strategies:
- Habitat Protection and Restoration: Preserving and restoring wetlands, ponds, and other amphibian habitats can provide frogs with refuges against the impacts of climate change.
- Climate-Resilient Land Management: Sustainable land management practices can help mitigate habitat degradation and fragmentation, allowing frogs to move and adapt to changing conditions.
- Monitoring and Research: Studying the responses of frog populations to changing climate conditions can inform conservation efforts and help identify critical areas for intervention.
- Climate Adaptation Strategies: Managed translocations, captive breeding programs, and habitat creation can help facilitate the movement of frog populations to more suitable habitats as conditions change.
- Global Climate Action: Addressing climate change on a broader scale by reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to mitigate its impacts on frogs and other species.
Here are a few ways that you can help:
Be sure to visit the Citizen Science Portal on the Government of Canada’s website for a broad list of citizen science opportunities: https://science.gc.ca/site/science/en/citizen-science-portal.
