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NOCA NRPP Amphibian Inventory |
The 1998 amphibian inventory in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex (NOCA) was funded through the National Park Service Natural Resource Preservation Program in cooperation with Dr. Bruce Bury, Biological Resource Division, Forest and Range Ecosystems Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon as the part of a four-year program to inventory amphibians in Pacific northwest National Parks. The objectives of this study were to conduct a baseline inventory, evaluate environmental factors affecting distribution of amphibians, and develop protocols for both extensive and intensive monitoring. In 1996, the first year of this program, National Park Service staff conducted an amphibian inventory of the Big Beaver watershed. In 1997, the second year of this program, the amphibian inventory continued in Bridge Creek watershed, and included an update on frogs of Big Beaver valley. This report includes information collected in 1998 focusing on finishing Bridge Creek and Thunder Creek watersheds and data collected in conjunction with the Seattle City Light funded lake ecology project.
Physical, chemical, and amphibian abundance and distribution data were collected at nineteen stream reaches, and seventy-two lake/ponds. The tailed frog Ascaphus truei, and Cascades frog Rana cascadae were the only amphibians captured in stream habitats. Nine species of amphibians were found in the lake/ponds surveyed. They included: Ambystoma gracile, Ambystoma macrodactylum, Ascaphus truei, Bufo boreas, Hyla regilla, Rana aurora, Rana cascadae, Rana luteiventris, and Taricha granulosa. Six stream reaches in Thunder Creek and Fisher Creek watersheds were intensively sampled for tailed frog tadpoles in an effort to determine the number of age class cohorts present. It appears that three or possibly four age classes are represented in these streams. Small sample sizes (25-56) are not adequate to make a reliable assessment of age classes. Ascaphus tadpole length frequency data are presented.
Tissue samples collected in 1997 from frogs in Big Beaver Valley were DNA typed by Mike Blouin of the Zoology Department at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon and determined to be Rana luteiventris, Columbian spotted frog. A few additional samples from frogs captured at McMillan Creek (a main tributary of Big Beaver) beaver ponds were collected in 1998 and have been sent in for DNA testing.
Methods
Photo Documentation
Water Chemistry
Pond Amphibian Sampling
Visual
Trapping
Stream Sampling
Results and Discussions
Streams
Lake/Ponds
Summary
Big Beaver Update
Appendix (omitted from on-line edition)
Attachments (omitted from on-line edition)
Figure 1. Location of the amphibian survey sites, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, Washington
Figure 2. Tailed frog tadpole size distribution in lower Thunder Creek Tributary site # 32A
Figure 3. Tailed frog tadpole size distribution in lower Thunder Creek Tributary site # 33
Figure 4. Tailed frog tadpole size distribution in lower Thunder Creek Tributary site # 62B
Figure 5. Tailed frog tadpole size distribution in lower Fisher Ck.(west) mainstem site # 186
Figure 6. Tailed frog tadpole size distribution in lower Fisher Ck. (west) Tributary site # 202
Figure 7. Tailed frog tadpole size distribution in lower Fisher Ck (west) Tributary site # 217
Table 1. Stream Width, Depth, Velocity, and Gradient Summary
Table 2. Stream Substrate Description Average - Summary
Table 3. Stream Habitat Type, Instream and Overstory Cover Summary
Table 4. Riparian Vegetation - Canopy Coverage and Species
Table 5. Chemical Characteristics of Water at Stream Survey Sites
Table 6. Pond Physical Characteristics and Fish Presence
Table 7. Chemical Characteristics of Water at Lake/pond Survey Sites
Table 8. Stream Search Effort and Captures - Summary
Table 9. Pond Shoreline Visual Search and Amphibian Captures - All Daytime
Table 10A. Pond Amphibian Trap Effort and Captures - Summary
Table 10B. Pond Amphibian Trap Effort and Captures - Detail
Table 11. Outside Transect Ascaphus truei Captures
There are several goals concerning amphibians in North Cascades National Park (NOCA) which are reflected in management plans and various research proposals and programs. These include inventory and habitat characterization, development of a long-term monitoring program, and evaluation of the effects of fish stocking on lake amphibian populations.
NOCA has been selected as one of ten of the NPS National Prototype Long-term Ecological Monitoring (LTEM) parks. NOCA was selected to represent the lake and stream category of the LTEM program. In the NOCA LTEM proposal, a watershed approach that addresses park and regional needs for watershed management was selected. The approach focuses on the stream-riparian corridor, but also tracks processes and environmental influences occurring within the target watersheds. Amphibians were selected as one of the biological components of the monitoring program. LTEM objectives for amphibians include the examination of spatio-temporal changes in species occurrence in representative stream and lake habitats and associated riparian zones. Sampling design considerations require that data be collected in a manner that would support spatial and temporal analysis of distributional patterns, changes in relative abundance, and factors influencing these attributes.
Amphibians are important components in many ecosystems. They can occupy key trophic positions in food webs of both aquatic and terrestrial systems. As adults they can be top carnivores, and as larvae or juveniles, they may be the major food source of many other species including birds, mammals, fish, and invertebrates. In some forest ecosystems, amphibians may comprise the major component of the vertebrate biomass (Burton and Likens 1975, Bury 1988). Moreover, under certain conditions, amphibians may be good "bioindicators" of environmental stress because of various aspects of their life histories, including their physiological and behavioral characteristics, morphogenetic patterns, and aspects of their population biology. The decline in amphibians may be an early warning signal that, ultimately, other organisms also may be in danger of decline and extinction.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (1998) has listed for protection two species of Spotted Frog, the Oregon Spotted Frog Rana pretiosa as endangered, and the Columbian Spotted Frog Rana luteiventris as a candidate. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the Oregon Spotted Frog as a federal candidate and the Columbian Spotted Frog, Northern Red-legged frog Rana aurora aurora, and Cascades frog Rana cascadae as species of concern.
The National Park Service provided support to Oregon State University through a cooperative agreement to conduct a study of the ecological effects of stocked trout in naturally fishless lakes in NOCA (Liss et al 1995). This study, conducted from 1989 to present, documented three salamanders: Ambystoma macrodactylum in both east and westslope lakes, Ambystoma gracile, and Taricha granulosa only in westslope lakes. In addition, four Anuran amphibians were found: Bufo boreas in both east and westslope lakes, Hyla regilla westslope, Ascaphus truei both east and west, and Rana luteiventris in east only.
In 1991 a Stehekin Valley Vertebrate Inventory (eastslope) was conducted by NOCA staff (Kuntz and Glesne 1993). Pitfall traps in this study yielded five amphibian species: Rana cascadae, Hyla regilla, Rana luteiventris, Bufo boreas, and Ambystoma macrodactylum. In 1993-1994 pitfall traps were installed and monitored by NOCA staff at Park Slough near Newhalem (westslope). The Park Slough pitfall traps produced Ensatina eschscholtzii and Rana aurora. Nearby fish traps in the Park Slough spawning channels caught Bufo boreas.
In 1995-1996 an arthropod study using pitfall traps was conducted in lower Big Beaver Valley, a drainage to the west of Ross Lake. This trapping effort resulted in the incidental take of nine species of amphibians: Bufo boreas, Ascaphus truei, Hyla regilla, Rana cascadae, Rana pretiosa, Ambystoma macrodactylum, Ambystoma gracile, Taricha granulosa, and Ensatina eschscholtzii.
The current study began in 1996 with an amphibian inventory in Big Beaver watershed and was funded as part of a four year program to inventory amphibians in Pacific northwest National Parks, including Olympic (OLYM), Mount Rainier (MORA), and North Cascades (NOCA). The objectives of this study were to conduct a baseline inventory, evaluate environmental factors affecting distribution of amphibians, and develop protocols for both extensive and intensive monitoring. Funding is from the Natural Resource Preservation Program (NRPP) and is administered by Dr. R. Bruce Bury of the Biological Resources Division (BRD), United States Geological Survey (USGS) at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC), Oregon State University (OSU) Corvallis, Oregon. Additional sampling in lakes and ponds has been supported in part by funds from Seattle City Light through the wildlife settlement agreement for relicensing of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project.
During 1996, physical, chemical, and amphibian abundance and distribution data were collected at twenty-seven stream reaches, thirty individual seeps, and twenty-one lake/ponds in the Big Beaver Creek watershed (Holmes and Glesne 1997). The only amphibian captured in streams was the tailed frog Ascaphus truei. Two species of amphibians were found at seep locations: Rana cascadae and Ambystoma gracile. Eight species of amphibians were found in the lake/ponds surveyed. They were: Ambystoma gracile, Ambystoma macrodactylum, Bufo boreas, Hyla regilla, Rana aurora, Rana cascadae, Rana luteiventris, and Taricha granulosa. Ensatina eschscholtzii which was collected in pitfall traps in another study, brings to ten the number of amphibians found in Big Beaver Valley to date. All 1996 identifications of Rana cascadae, Rana pretiosa, and Rana aurora in Big Beaver Valley are unconfirmed. The reason for the ambiguity in these ranid frog identifications is the intergradation of field mark characteristics between these species.
In 1997, the second year of this study a NOCA amphibian crew conducted an inventory of Bridge Creek watershed (Holmes and Glesne 1998). Physical, chemical, and amphibian abundance and distribution data were collected at twenty-eight stream reaches, seven individual seeps, and fifteen lake/ponds . The only amphibian captured in streams was the tailed frog Ascaphus truei. One amphibian, Ambystoma macrodactylum, was found at a seep location. Five species of amphibians were found in the lake/ponds surveyed. They were: Ambystoma macrodactylum, Bufo boreas, Hyla regilla, Rana cascadae, and Rana luteiventris. The objectives of this report are to only present methods and data collected during the 1998 field season in watersheds over a wide range of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Relationships between species distributions and environmental attributes will be analyzed in a final report.
A total of 19 stream reaches and 72 lake/ponds were sampled during 1998. Specific sampling locations are shown in Figure 1, Appendix Table A1, and Appendix Figures A1 to A28. Streams sites ranged from first order headwaters to third order mainstem reaches of Fisher Creek in the Thunder Creek watershed and Grizzly Creek in the Bridge Creek watershed. Most reaches sampled were in first and second order streams with three third order reaches sampled.
The climate the North Cascades are modified by topographic features in and around the Park. Air masses originating as frontal systems over the Pacific Ocean release moisture in the form of rain or snow as they are forced to rise over the crest of the Cascade mountain range. This results in higher precipitation on the west slope and lower precipitation on the east slope. Based on records from nearby weather stations rainfall is estimated to range from approximately 150 cm in the eastern side to250 cm in the western side.
Several periods of glaciation during the past 1.5 million years has given the valleys typical straight, flat-bottomed, steep-walled valleys. Headwaters of the larger streams begin in cirques, some of which contain small glaciers. Smaller tributary streams begin on the steep upper slopes of the valley walls. Cirques and lower valley slopes are choked with debris produced by glacial erosion and mass-wasting processes (pers.comm. Jon Riedel 1998).
The lakes and ponds surveyed have a variety of geophysical factors at work in their formation. Some have had glacial influence either in the scouring out of a depression which now traps water or by deposition of morraine material which blocks water drainage to form an impoundment. Landslides have been responsible for damming some waterways and causing lake or pond formation. River meanders become detached when the channel shifts, leaving a curved body of water near a river channel but without significant flow. Lastly another major contributor to lake/pond formation is the activity of beaver. In several low-gradient stream or river courses beaver have constructed dams from trees and branches which cause the formation of ponds and pond complexes.
The vegetation is primarily subalpine forests including Pacific Silver Fir (Abies amabalis), Subalpine Fir (Abies lasiocarpa), and Mountain Hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) Zones (Franklin and Dyrness 1973). In addition to these tree species, some parts of the study area contain varying proportions of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Englemann spruce (Picea englemannii), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), white pine (Pinus monticola), and at higher elevations subalpine larch (Larix lyalli), and white-bark pine (Pinus albicaulis). Broad-leaved trees encountered, mostly in the riparian areas and avalanche chutes, were: Black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera), Red alder (Alnus rubra), Sitka alder (Alnus sinuata), Douglas' maple (Acer glabrum var. douglasii), Vine maple (Acer circinatum), Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis), and a few Big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum).
The typical shrub layer in drier open areas contained Snowbrush ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus), Western serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), Oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), Oregon boxwood (Pachistima myrsinites), and Red mountain heather (Phyllodoce empetriformis) at higher elevations. In forested areas common shrubs were: Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilus), Devil's club (Oplopanax horridum), Elderberrry (Sambucus racemosa), Fool's huckleberry (Menziesia ferruginea), salal, (Gaultheria shallon), and several Blueberry and Huckleberry species (Vaccinium spp.)
The stream reaches surveyed ranged in elevation from 463 meters at a lower Thunder Creek tributary to 1646 meters at headwater of Fisher Creek on the east side of Fisher Pass. (Appendix Table A1). Stream gradients of these reaches ranged from 1% to 42%. Average wetted width ranged from 0.9 m in first order headwaters to 10.5 m in second order mainstem of Fisher Creek (west)(Table 1). The dominant substrates were quite varied from boulder to medium gravel and subdominants were boulder to sand (Table 2). The general habitat types represented in these reaches were primarily riffle, cascades, and pools. Instream cover was provided primarily by undercut banks and organic debris. Densiometer canopy cover ranged from 0% at upper Fisher Creek (west) in an alpine meadow to 100% at Berry Creek, a tributary of lower Bridge Creek. (Table 3). Vegetation forest types at stream sites ranged from open krumholz through various stages of young (including avalanche thickets) and mature to old-growth coniferous forests (Table 4). Water temperature in streams at time of surveys ranged from 40° to 64° F. Stream pH ranged from 6.91 at North Fork (site # 222) to 7.53 at a tributary of Fisher Creek (site # 202) and conductivity from 12.19 to 58.4 uS/cm (Table 5).
A total of 57 ponds and 15 lakes were surveyed for amphibians. These 72 bodies of water were sampled using the same techniques so were lumped into a single lake/pond category. Physical and chemical data for lake/ponds are found in Tables 6 and 7. These bodies of water ranged in size from 0.01 acre ponds to 55 acre Lower Thornton Lake (MR10). The elevations of the lake/pond sampling sites range from 286 m at pond BD02 near the Skagit River to 2082 m at pond MR07 on a ridge above Kettling Lakes in the Bridge Creek watershed. Fish presence was noted in 12 of the 72 lake/ponds. The pH of all lake/ponds ranged from 5.03 at lower Middle Lake (MC16-2) to 7.49 at Firn Lake (MP02). The water temperature of the lake/ponds ranged from 40° F at a pond at the confluence of Fisher Creek (west) and Logan Creek (ML09-05) on 9/03/98 to 78° F at pond in Skymo Creek basin (PM05-02) on 8/04/98.
Photo Documentation
Photos were taken at each amphibian survey site. Notes recorded on a photo log form (Attachment 1) include date, roll #, picture #, site #, reach #, stream meter, and a comment field description of subject. At each stream reach photos were taken at stream meter 0, 50, and 100 one each upstream and downstream. At ponds two to four photos were taken to document littoral habitat types and surrounding vegetation. The photos were developed into color slides and photo CD format. A flat database Photo Catalog (Appendix Table A2) was developed for these photos which includes a photo CD # and image # in addition to the above data fields. The photos from our study are also referenced in Accessory Data Tables (Appendix Tables A3, A4) listing all sites surveyed with ancillary data such as crewmembers and weather conditions. A series of 1:12,000 color aerial photographs in 9"x9" format, taken in July - August 1998, were used to map the exact locations of each survey site for future reference to assist in locating these same sites again. These photos were scanned at 600 dpi, sharpened, and zoomed in to show local landmarks (boulders, logs). Then site number labels added to indicate specific survey sites (Appendix Figures A1 to A28).
Water Chemistry
Water samples were collected at most amphibian survey sites, and analyzed to determine pH, conductivity. Samples were collected in sterilized nalgene bottles, capped immediately after collection, and refrigerated upon being brought in from the field. Water temperature was also taken at each sampling site. Conductivity was read using a YSI ™ model 35 conductance meter. The pH of water samples was determined using an Altex ™ 70 pH meter standardized with 4.0 and 7.0 pH buffers. Water samples were brought to 25° C prior to pH and conductivity analysis.
Pond Amphibian Sampling
Sampling of ponds for amphibians was done using two survey methods: shoreline search (visual encounter), and funnel trapping with collapsible nylon mesh minnow traps (unbaited).
Visual
Visual searches were done during daylight only. No nighttime searches were done due to the remoteness of most sites and danger to crewmembers involved in off trail travel in darkness. During our shoreline visual survey, one to three persons slowly walked the complete perimeter of ponds, with dip nets in hand, focusing on an area from the 1 m depth contour in water to the shore, then 2 m landward from shoreline. The perimeter of the lake/pond was divided up between the observers with each crewmember surveying a portion of the shoreline. Time spent and number of people performing visual searches was recorded. All observations and captures of amphibians during visual searches were recorded on Lake/Pond Amphibian Survey Data Form 3b-NOCA (Attachment 2).
While observers were conducting the visual search, another crewmember (the recorder) drew a map of the outline of the pond on Lake/pond Amphibian Survey Data Form 3a - NOCA (Attachment 3). Vegetation in the vicinity of the pond was noted. Locations of the individual minnow traps and time they were placed in position were recorded. Several additional items of data describing the pond and habitat, fish presence, and physical characteristics were entered on this form.
Trapping
Collapsible nylon net minnow traps were placed in pond/lakes with the openings of the funnels 10-20 cm below the surface, and with a portion of the top of the trap 2-5 cm above the surface. This position allows non-gilled amphibians (adult frogs, toads) to survive several hours in the trap without drowning. Six traps were usually placed in small ponds and twelve in larger ponds allowing at least 25 square meters per trap. An effort was made in placing the traps to try and sample as much of the heterogeneity of the habitat types as possible. Traps were placed in the pond one day, left overnight, and picked up the following day. Time and dates traps were placed into and taken out of the pond were recorded. Dominant substrate was noted along with amphibians captured and their measurements. Data on trap effort and captures was recorded on Lake/pond Amphibian Survey Data Form 3d - NOCA (Attachment 4).
Stream Sampling
Streams were chosen in the Thunder Creek watershed by their accessibility from trail. Many of the stream reaches were selected for inventorying amphibians because tailed frogs had been found in a prior year. In total, 19 reaches were sampled for amphibians in 1998 in six watersheds (Figure 1, Table A1).
Streams that flowed across a trail were sampled beginning approximately 10-50 m upstream of the trail to minimize impacts of trail use on the reach sampled. At the starting point one crewmember stretched a measuring tape (stream rope) upstream taking care to not disturb the streambed. Along this route stations were measured out at preselected random meter intervals. Ten belt transects one meter wide were sampled in each 100 m stream reach.
First a visual observation of the one meter wide belt transect was done. Then it was sampled by placing a kick net in the stream securely against the substrate while picking up and examining all moveable substrate upstream within 1 meter of the net. Large or unmoveable substrate was rubbed by hand or kicked to dislodge any amphibians present. Substrate, which was moved, was replaced as near to its original position as possible to minimize disruption to the habitat. The net was moved across the stream until all the wetted width had been searched. All amphibians captured were identified, measured, and recorded on data sheet Amphibian Survey: Capture Data (Bury and Major 1996) (Attachment 5).
Stream depth was measured in three places, the center of each third of the wetted width. These measurements were recorded to nearest centimeter as left, middle, and right depths (facing downstream). Flow velocity was measured in these same places at 0.6 of the total depth with a digital flowmeter to 0.01 mps. Gradient was measured with a clinometer in % taken at stream meter 000, 050, 100. The gradient was measured upstream and downstream at each of these three stations for a 25 m distance, then averaged to produce one reading at each station.
Percent of seven habitat types were recorded for each transect; obscured, cascade, riffle, pool, tailout, subsurface, and wetland. Instream cover percent was recorded for coarse woody debris, organic debris, and undercut banks. Densiometer overstory canopy cover was measured and recorded for upstream, downstream, left and right banks.
Characterization of substrate was done at each of the belt transects along the upstream edge of the transect, following amphibian sampling. Dominant and subdominant substrate type codes were recorded at intervals that vary with the bankfull width at any particular site. A sample interval of 0.2 m was used for transect sites with a wetted perimeter of less than 1 m, 0.3 m was used for transect sites with a wetted perimeter of 1-2 m, 0.5 m intervals were used for streams that were 2 to 5 m wide, and 1 m intervals were used for streams greater than 5 and less than 10 m wide, 2 m intervals for streams greater than 10 m wide. For each transect we recorded 1) stream meter for transect location; 2) bankfull width in meters at the transect; 3) bank starting location (left and right banks are always determined facing downstream); 4) distance (interval start point) from starting bank, dominant substrate type code and subdominant substrate type code for each interval across the channel. These data were recorded on Stream Amphibian Survey Data Form 1a - NOCA (Attachment 6).
At three places (000 m, 050 m, and 100 m) in each transect a riparian vegetation survey was done. The vegetation survey covered a 20 m square on left bank and right bank. Data were recorded on a Riparian Vegetation form (Attachment 7). Percent cover of both overstory and understory species was recorded as well as total overstory and understory canopy closure. Additionally dbh size classes were recorded for overstory as a whole to give an indication of forest age structure.
On Stream Amphibian Survey Data Form 1b - NOCA (Attachment 8) blocks representing transect intervals were sketched in with major instream cover items (logs, boulders, under cut banks). Start and stop times were recorded for each transect's amphibian search. Any amphibians found were identified to species, life stage, and sex when possible. On form Amphibian Survey: Capture Data (Bury and Major 1996) we recorded additional head, body, and limb measurements for each amphibian captured (Attachment 5).
In addition to the regular belt transects we targeted streams which had higher numbers of tailed frog tadpoles to do more kick net sampling. Six stream reaches in Thunder Creek and Fisher Creek watersheds were intensively sampled for tailed frog tadpoles in an effort to determine the number of age class cohorts present. Three streams targeted in lower Thunder Creek watershed were 32A, 33, and 62B; three stream reaches in upper Fisher Creek were 186, 202, and 217. The total numbers of tadpoles caught both inside and outside of transects were 38, 33, 56, 25, 34, and 39 respectively.
Streams
A total of 19 stream reaches were surveyed. The amphibian species captured in streams were the tailed frog Ascaphus truei and, one Cascades frog Rana cascadae. Life stages found included tadpole, metamorph, juvenile, and adult both male and female tailed frogs; and one adult female Cascades frog. Tailed frogs were found in 12 of the 19 reaches surveyed. The number of tailed-frogs found ranged from 1 to 29 per 100 m reach, with a mean of 8.83. (Table 8). In addition to these, two lake outlet streams were briefly sampled with the kick net. Both of these yielded tailed frog tadpoles numbering 2 and 13. Stream measurements were not taken at these abbreviated surveys.
Additional kick net sampling was done outside the prescribed transects of streams where tailed frogs seemed plentiful. Six such streams produced from 11 to 42 individuals in addition to those captured in transects. These "extra" captures were measured in order to try and determine the number of age-class cohorts present (Table 11, Figures 2-7). The sample sizes of 25 to 56 may not be large enough to make definitive statements about the number of age classes present. It does appear that there are at least three and possibly four age classes represented in the tadpoles we captured. More sampling needs to be done to increase sample size, and sampling at more than one time period throughout the season.
In Thunder Creek watershed Ascaphus truei, tailed frogs were found in ten of the eleven stream reaches sampled. They were found in six of the seven tributary reaches sampled below McAllister Creek and all four reaches sampled in upper Fisher Creek, a major tributary of Thunder Creek. One juvenile tailed frog was found in one of six stream reaches sampled in Bridge Creek watershed. Two tailed frog tadpoles were found in the one stream reach sampled in Big Beaver watershed.
Lake/Ponds
Amphibians were caught in 11 of the 43 lake/ponds where minnow traps were placed overnight. Only one species was captured in traps at any one of the lake/ponds. The number of individuals captured at any one site ranged from 1 to 29. Amphibians caught in traps included: one Ascaphus truei at ML-10-01 (west side), seven Ambystoma gracile at RD-02-01 (west side), one to twelve Ambystoma macrodactylum at seven ponds (1 pond east of the crest, 6 on west side), 26 Hyla regilla at FP-18-01 (west side), and 29 Rana aurora at BD-02-01 (west side).
Lake/pond amphibian captures from visual searches are summarized in Table 9, and captures from trapping in Tables 10a and 10b. Visual searches of 65 lake/ponds detected amphibians at 21 of these sites. In these, five species of amphibian were identified, and one unidentified salamander was observed at 3 sites and one unidentified frog at one site. Rana aurora, red-legged frog was seen at one pond, Hyla regilla, Pacific treefrog was seen at 2 ponds, Ambystoma macrodactylum, long-toed salamander was seen at 13 sites, one Rana luteiventris, Columbian, spotted frog was observed at one site, Bufo boreas, western toad was seen at 3 sites. In addition, one Taricha granulosa, rough-skinned newt larvae (M-20-01) and two Ambystoma macrodactylum, long-toed salamander hatchlings (RD-05-01 and M-23-01) were caught incidentally in invertebrate sweeps.
About one mile above McAllister Creek at the lower end of Thunder Meadows an off channel oxbow pond is where Pacific treefrog, Hyla regilla was captured. Thunder Lake is in the very lowest part of Thunder Creek watershed, which is now inundated by Diablo Lake, this is the only location that Ambystoma gracile, Northwestern salamander was found in 1998. A pond (BD-02-01) near State Route 20 is the only location that Rana aurora, red-legged frog was found in 1998.
Summary
Nine species of amphibians were found in the lake/ponds and streams surveyed in 1998. They were : Ambystoma gracile, Ambystoma macrodactylum, Ascaphus truei, Bufo boreas, Hyla regilla, Rana aurora, Rana cascadae, Rana luteiventris, and Taricha granulosa.
A total of six species of amphibians have been found in Bridge Creek watershed (1997) so far. In comparison, the Big Beaver valley (1996) amphibian inventory found nine species of amphibians from pond and stream surveys, plus one terrestrial salamander, Ensatina eschscholtzii, from pitfall traps. The lower number of amphibian species is consistent with the higher and drier habitat found in Bridge Creek watershed. Bridge Creek watershed lacks extensive low elevation wetland habitats including beaver ponds and bogs which are common in lower Big Beaver.
Big Beaver Update
On a trip to Big Beaver Valley in August 1997, the NOCA crew was joined by herpetologist Mike Adams of USGS-BRD-FRESC, Corvallis, Oregon and the amphibian inventory crew from Olympic National Park and their leader Patrick Loafman. This combined crew went back to ponds PM07-1 and PM07-2 and caught some adult and juvenile frogs and juvenile toads. From these specimens we collected toe clipped tissue samples which Mike Adams took to send off for DNA analysis. Recently we were informed by Mike Blouin of Oregon State University Zoology department that all of the ranid frogs sampled in lower Big Beaver Valley proved to be Rana luteiventris, Columbian spotted frog (pers. comm. Mike Blouin 1999). Additional tissue testing needs to be done on specimens from McMillan and Luna Creek portions of the Big Beaver watershed to determine if any frogs other than Rana luteiventris inhabit this watershed. Tissue samples were collected from frogs caught in McMillan Creek beaver pond complex(MC-54-08). These samples have been sent to Mike Blouin at OSU, Corvallis, Oregon for testing.
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Franklin, J.F. and C.T. Dyrness. 1973. Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington, U.S. Forest Service Technical Report PNW 8. 417 p.
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Kuntz, Robert C. II and R.S. Glesne. 1993. Stehekin Valley Vertebrate Inventory. National Park Service Technical Report NPS/PNRNOCA/NRTR-93/010.Sedro-Woolley,WA.36 p.
Liss, William J., et al. 1995. Ecological effects of stocked trout in naturally fishless high mountain lakes North Cascades National Park Service Complex, WA, USA. National Park Service Technical Report NPS/PNROSU/NRTR-95-03. 285 p.
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