Tree Frog
Joseph Mitchell
Amphibians are integral links in the flow of energy in natural ecosystems. They are predators of many animals, some of which are pests, and they are prey for other animals in the food web. Amphibians are declining worldwide. The primary cause is habitat loss, but commercialization for food and skins, disease, introduced species, environmental pollution, and global climate change also cause population decline and loss. Park records list the presence of 49 amphibians, including toads, frogs and salamanders. A survey for herps (reptiles and amphibians) was recently completed for the Jamestown environs. That survey found eleven species of frogs, seven species of salamanders, seven species of turtles, three species of lizards and eight species of snakes. A parkwide survey of herps (amphibians and reptiles)is presently being conducted.
