Frog Watch USA Basics 1302015 Benefits to Frog

Frog. Watch. USA Basics 1/30/2015

Benefits to Frog. Watch USA Participants • Increase in scientific literacy • Empowered to collect and report information about frog and toad populations • Develop and/or enhance their appreciation for amphibian populations in their communities. • Better understand the importance of protecting wetland habitats • Establish a closer relationship with the natural environment

Interpretations and Uses of Data • Describe local species diversity • Detect rare and invasive species • Suggest shifts in species diversity, range, and seasonal timing (phenology) • Serve as an indicator of wetland health • Inform the development of land management strategies

Primary Causes of Decline Cause Examples Habitat loss – Destruction, fragmentation, alteration, degradation – Road mortalities – Fire suppression Pollution & chemical contamination – Direct mortality – Disruption in development Environmental changes – Increases in predators – Exotic and invasive species – Global climate change Disease – Chytridiomycosis (Bd) – Ranavirus Harvesting & exploitation – Food, pet trade, poaching, killing

Process 1. Site selection 2. Volunteer and Site Registration 3. Data collection (Monitoring Protocol) • Weather conditions (abiotic) • Frog and toad observations (biotic) 4. Data submission

Reporting Coordinates • Latitude (North/South) first followed by Longitude (East/West) – (Latitude, Longitude) – Specify N for Latitude and W or “–” for Longitude – Longitude will always be negative in the US! • Format: Decimal Degrees; 4 decimal places (i. e. , _ _, - _ _)

Monitoring Protocol: Prior to Arrival at Site • Practice identifying the calls • Ensure appropriate weather conditions for monitoring: – Above 35 degrees Fahrenheit – Not raining too hard, nor too windy • Plan to monitor at least 30 minutes after sunset • Gather equipment

Monitoring Equipment Prepare a monitoring equipment kit, to include: – – – – Copy of Monitoring Protocol, datasheet for each visit Clipboard Pencil or pen Thermometer Stopwatch or wristwatch A flashlight or head lamp Cell phone Optional: Extra flashlight, field guide, tape recorder, camera, rain gear, first aid kit

Beaufort Wind Scale Code Definition Speed (mph) 0 – Calm Smoke rises vertically <1 1 – Light Air Smoke drifts; slight movement of air 1– 3 2 – Light Breeze Leaves rustle; wind felt on face 4– 7 3 – Gentle Breeze Leaves and twigs in constant motion 4 – Moderate Breeze Moves small branches, dust, loose paper 13– 17 5 – Fresh Breeze Small trees begin swaying 18– 24 8– 12

Monitoring Protocol 1. 2. 3. Be quiet for at least 2 minutes before initiating the monitoring session so frogs and toads acclimate to your presence. Cup hands around your ears and listen quietly for precisely 3 minutes. Use a watch to time this duration accurately. Listen to, identify, and remember all breeding calls occurring in the session. If the monitoring session is interrupted by noise, restart it, including the 2 minute acclimation period.

Monitoring Protocol: Data Reporting • Immediately following the 3 -minute monitoring session, enter the start and stop times on the datasheet. • List all species heard during the monitoring session and rate their calling intensity (biotic data). If uncertain about a species identification, do not report it. • If no calls were heard during the monitoring session, enter “No Calls Heard” on the datasheet. Good data documents both the presence and absence of breeding calls.

Calling Intensity Index 0 – No frogs or toads heard calling 1 – Individuals can be counted; there is space between calls 2 – Calls of individuals can be distinguished, but there is some overlapping of calls 3 – Full chorus, calls are constant, continuous, and overlapping

Observation Data - Time • Start and end time recorded • Time block – Listen for 3 minutes only • Time of day – Monitor in evening/at night (majority will be 5 PM 11 PM). – No day time observations!

Observation Data - Weather • Temperature – specify °F or °C • Wind – Do not monitor when code 4 or 5 • Precipitation – hard rain, hail, snow not appropriate • Temperature in previous 48 hours should be above freezing