AMPHIBIAN
SPECIES MONITORING
The following is a brief summation of what the Forest Service is doing regarding amphibian research, inventorying and monitoring in Region Four.  More forest specific information maybe obtained by contacting the biologist working on each individual forest.

ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST.  To date, the Ashley National Forest have not completed any monitoring for amphibians. A spring development project will be surveyed for amphibians in the near future.  However, Columbia Spotted Frogs have not been recorded in the Colorado River drainage but there is suitable habitat on the forest for the species.  Boreal Chorus Frogs are known to be on the forest.  Northern Leopard Frogs should be present but have not been confirmed yet.  Boreal Toads have yet to be found in the Unita Mountains but the state has identified this area as the highest priority for surveys (Thompson 1999).  Contact:  Kathy Paulin, Wildlife Biologist (435) 789-1181.
 

BOISE NATIONAL FOREST. There has been only limited surveys for amphibians to date, primarily looking for Spotted Frogs in connection with project level work.  There has also been some data collected by fisheries biologist in conjunction with aquatic surveys.  The forest recommends a coordinated inter-agency effort be a launched to gather meaningful information on amphibian species using eco-groups to develop the appropriate protocol.  Contact:  John Erickson  (208) 373-4154.
 

BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST.  Three stations on the North side of the Forest have been established to monitor amphibian populations.  Two of these stations no longer have Boreal Toads.  The other station continues to be a hot spot for several species despite avian perdition of adult amphibians.

The Forest is currently collecting information on amphibians on the South side.  They have let a personal services contract with Debra Patla, and she has provided identification talks/cards to several field crews and will follow up on creditable sightings.  She also put up posters at the Ranger Stations.  These actions have already paid off as Spotted Frogs have been officially recorded for the first time on the Big Piney Ranger District.  Contact:  Barb Franklin, Pinedale RD Biologist (307) 739-5721.
 

DIXIE AND FISHLAKE NATIONAL FOREST.  The Forest continues to work cooperatively with the State on Boreal Toads.  This species has been found up to 10,000 feet in elevation in the Boulder Mountains.  The Forest has fenced off one area to protect the species from overgrazing.  A wildlife  occurred upstream from the exclosure and resulted in high post-fire toad mortality.  The toad population is rebounding now and will be monitored to see if the recovery continues.  Contact:  Ron Rodriquez, Dixie Forest Biologist  (801) 865-3732 for more information.
 

CARIBOU NATIONAL FOREST.  The Caribou continues to work closely with Dr. Charles R. Peterson, Idaho State University and his graduate students.  The Forest helped craft the amphibian field guide, sponsored some graduate students students and surveyed proposed project areas.  The Forest has contributed money for a Ph.D. student modeling Tiger Salamander habitats and population.  Contact:  Scott Feltis, Forest Wildlife Biologist (208) 236-7533.
 

HUMBOLDT-TOIYABE NATIONAL FORESTS.  Surveys were conducted in 1997 and 1998 for amphibians on the two forests.  Target species were Spotted Frogs but tree frogs and toads were also recorded.  All of the survey data was recorded using GIS.  Contact: Steve Anderson, Forest Biologist, Cleveland National Forest (formerly on the Humboldt-Toiyabe)
(619) 674-2901.
 

MANTI-LA SAL NATIONAL FOREST.  The only species known to occur on the Forest is the Boreal Toads.  Several other species may occur in the Forest but there has been no monitoring completed, except for Spotted Frogs, which were not found on Forest lands.  Contact:  Rod Player, Forest Wildlife Biologist  (435)637-2817.
 

PAYETTE NATIONAL FOREST.  To date, there has been no systematic monitoring of amphibians in the forest.  The Forest is still awaiting the final amphibian inventory completed for for Big Creek that was contract out to Idaho State University.  Contact:  Floyd Gordon, Forest Wildlife Biologist (208)634-0791.
 

SALMON-CHALLIS NATIONAL FORESTS.  Presence/absence monitoring surveys for amphibians have been conducted on essentially all portion of these two forests since 1994.  A total of sixteen long-term monitoring sites have been established on the Salmon and four have been established on the Challis.  In addition, project level surveys have been completed around lakes, ponds and riparian areas.  The primary species found have been Spotted Frogs, Tailed Frogs, Tree Frogs, Boreal Toads,  and  Long-Toed Salamanders.

Several inventory and research efforts have been completed on the forest, including:  "Spatial distribution and habitat association of amphibians in the Bighorn Crags of the Frank Church River of No River Wilderness"  (1996),  "Amphibian survey of the yankee Fork Ranger District"  (1996),  "Amphibian and reptile distribution and habitat relationships in the Lost River Mountains and Challis-Lemhi Resource areas"  (1998) and "The ecological effects of fish stocking on amphibian populations in high mountain wilderness lakes"  (1999).  Most of these projects have been in cooperation with other agencies or with universities.  Contact:  Dick Wenger, Forest Wildlife Biologist (208) 756-5107. Check out the new amphibian website from the Lost River Ranger District at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/lostriver/fishwildlife/amphibian.html
 

SAWTOOTH NATIONAL FOREST.  There have been no formal surveys of amphibians on the Forest but some may occur this year in conjunction with project reviews.  Spotted frogs are still present on the Elk Meadows and Warm Springs area.  Contact:  Tom Bandolin, Forest Biologist (208) 737-3252.
 

TARGHEE NATIONAL FOREST.  The spotted frog is a MIS for the Forest Plan and as such is supposed to be monitored.  No monitoring occurred in 1998 but some monitoring is scheduled for 1999. Northern leopard frogs still appear to be absent from the Forest but more surveys need to be conducted to confirm the loss.  Contact: Mark Orme, Forest Wildlife Biologist (208) 624-1604.
 

UINTA AND WATSATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FORESTS.  These forests have been doing very little in regards to amphibian monitoring. Spotted frogs are present on the Northern part of the state but along the Wasatch Front, only one individual sighting has occurred on forest. Boreal toads are also present.  The state has been doing monitoring of amphibians on the Forest.  Contact: Paul Cowley, Fisheries Biologist (801) 524-6061.
 
 
 
AMPHIBIAN FAMILIES TABLE OF CONTENTS

USDA, Forest Service
Federal Building
324 25th Street
Ogden, Utah  84401