https://cpw.cvlcollections.org/files/original/c65b18a6fea352a67b642b4ecbc57fd4.pdf 5327b3e6f766b187b366c34cbcc2d1fc PDF Text Text C O L O R A D O P A R K S & W I L D L I F E Boreal Toad (S. Rocky Mtn. Population) ASSESSING HABITAT QUALITY FOR PRIORITY WILDLIFE SPECIES IN COLORADO WETLANDS appears to be the main cause of declines, especially in the Southern Rocky Mountain population. © BRAD LAMBERT, COLORADO NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM Species Distribution Range Historically, the Southern Rocky Mountain population of boreal toads occurred in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Once considered common, boreal toad populations declined sharply in Colorado and Wyoming and have not been found in New Mexico since the early 1980s. Boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas, Family Bufonidae) lay strands of several thousand eggs in shallow ponds. The eggs hatch after two weeks, and tadpoles remain for 60–90 days. Species Description Identification With bumpy green-to-brown skin (occasionally rust or gray) and a thin white stripe along the back, boreal toads look similar to Woodhouse’s toads. Boreal toads occur mostly above 8,000 feet in elevation, whereas Woodhouse’s toads occur mostly below 8,000 feet. Females grow up to 4.3 inches, and males grow up to 3.7 inches. Boreal toads do not have a vocal sac; males emit only a very soft chirp. Preferred Habitats Boreal toads occupy numerous wetland types (emergent marshes, kettle ponds, beaver ponds, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and wet meadows), often surrounded by coniferous forests. Boreal toads travel up to 1.5 miles from their breeding and summer ranges to hibernate in microhabitats that do not freeze, including under logs and rocks, in rodent burrows, chambers beneath large boulders, and beaver lodges. Diet Adult boreal toads consume a wide variety of insects, spiders, and snails. Tadpoles eat organic substances suspended in the water column or on bottom. Conservation Status Federal: Not listed. Colorado: Listed as Endangered, designated Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need. BLM: Listed as Sensitive Species. USFS: Listed as Sensitive Species. Boreal toad populations have declined for numerous reasons, including diseases, environmental stress to the immune system, ultraviolet radiation, environmental toxins, altered hydrology, and habitat disturbance. Disease caused by chytrid fungus Distribution of the Southern Rocky Mountain population of the boreal toad by watershed throughout the range and by county within Colorado. Based on data from Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado Natural Heritage Program. Version Date: November 2020 COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE • 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 • (303) 297-1192 • cpw.state.co.us �Distance to upland foraging and hibernacula within 1.5 miles Elevation 8,000–11,500 feet Shoreline gradually sloping shallows with temperature gradient for both egg and tadpole development Sunlight availability open and sunny along water edges Vegetation in water open or sparse along shore Water depth 6–12 inches Water persistence May through late September best, but growth and development is temperature-dependent Water temperature 59–70 °F © P. S. CORN, USGS N. ROCKY MTN. SCIENCE CENTER Preferred Habitat Conditions Acknowledgements Bradley Lambert (Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO) and Harry Crockett (Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Fort Collins, CO) reviewed earlier versions and provided input on preferred habitat conditions. Management Recommendations This fact sheet contains easy-to-use guidelines for understanding habitat needs of Colorado Parks and Wildlife priority wetland-dependent wildlife. Biologists with expertise in boreal toads have suggested numerous practical steps that can be taken to improve habitat quality for this species. Suggested Reading and Citations Campbell, J. B. 1970. Hibernacula of a population of Bufo boreas in the Colorado Front Range. Herpetologica 26:278-282. CPW (Colorado Parks and Wildlife). 2015. State Wildlife Action Plan. Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Denver, CO. Hydrology • Maintain natural hydrologic conditions that support boreal toad habitat. • Maintain water level at one foot or more with gentle sloping banks that also provide water six inches deep. • Avoid diverting water from occupied sites. • Construct shallow shorelines in new impoundments. Gerber, B. D., S. J. Converse, E. Muths, H. J. Crockett, B. A. Mosher, and L. L. Bailey. 2017. Identifying species conservation strategies to reduce disease-associated declines. Conservation Letters July:1-10. Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado. University Press of Colorado and Colorado Division of Wildlife. Vegetation • Keep open along at least partial shoreline, allowing sunlight to penetrate. Jackson, T. 2008. Report on the status and conservation of the boreal toad Bufo boreas boreas in the Southern Rocky Mountains 2006-2007. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, CO. Contamination • Do not apply pesticides or herbicides near breeding ponds. • Reduce heavy metals and other toxins. • Avoid spreading contamination of the chytrid fungus by not introducing water or mud from one infected wetland to another. • Decontaminate boots, boats, and other equipment. Keinath, D., and M. McGee. 2005. Boreal Toad (Bufo boreas boreas): a technical conservation assessment. [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Available: http:// www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/ borealtoad.pdf. Loeffler, C. (Ed.). 2001. Conservation plan and agreement for the management and recovery of the southern Rocky Mountain population of the boreal toad (Bufo boreas boreas), Boreal Toad Recovery Team. 76 pp. + appendices. Land Use • If timbering in adjacent forests, create diverse age structure. • Restrict livestock in breeding ponds. • Consider timbering activities that preserve boreal toad habitat. • Avoid building new roads adjacent to boreal toad habitat. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Date unspecified. Species Status Assessment Report for the Eastern Population of the Boreal Toad, Anaxyrus boreas. Available: https://www.fws. gov/mountain-prairie/es/species/amphibians/ borealtoad/Boreal%20toad%20SSA%20 Report%20(1).pdf © BRAD LAMBERT, CNHP © BRAD LAMBERT, CNHP © BILL BATTAGLIN, USGS Conservation • Protect suitable habitat. • Obtain required permits from CPW before stocking any fish, and consider stocking only native species. COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE • 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 • (303) 297-1192 • cpw.state.co.us �Habitat Scorecard for Boreal Toad (v. Nov 2020) Assessment of habitat before and after restoration or management actions Project Name: ______________________________________ Project Area (acres): __________ Habitat Area (acres): __________ Size of Contiguous Habitat outside Project Area (acres): ________ Ownership (circle): Same / Different / Conservation Easement Scorecard Instructions: Enter one value that best describes early to mid-summer conditions of each habitat variable, using the numbers in the value column. Habitat variables are in shaded boxes; ranges of condition are directly below each variable. If condition is outside range or is not described, enter a zero. Project Area and Habitat Area: The project area includes the entire area affected by the project. The habitat is the area that will provide (in case of pre-project) or does provide (post-project) habitat for each potential target species within the project area. The habitat area may be the same size as the project area or it might be smaller and it may be defined differently for different target species. If there is contiguous habitat area outside the project area, note the size and whether the ownership of the contiguous areas is the same or different and whether it is under conservation easement or other habitat protection. If the habitat area within your project area is noncontiguous and/or if sections are in very different conditions, consider using multiple scorecards so that each scorecard represents the general conditions. If you use multiple scorecards, identify each habitat area on a map. Key habitat variable and conditions PreProject Value Date of assessment Edge of water and water depth Gradually sloping shallows with water 6–12 inches deep >3–6 inches or >12–18 inches 1–3 inches 26.0 17.3 8.7 Sunlight availability Open, sunny along water edges Some shade, but more sun than shade More shade than sun 26.0 17.3 8.7 Water persistence Present from beginning of May through end of September Present end of May through end of August Present mid-June through mid-August 26.0 17.3 8.7 Vegetation in water Open or sparse along shore Thick enough to produce some shade Thick enough to allow only some sunlight Total (of 100 possible): add all numbers in before or after columns 22.1 14.7 7.4 Expected PostProject Actual PostProject � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Fact Sheets Type The nature or genre of the resource Fact Sheet Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Description An account of the resource CPW Fact Sheets Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Boreal Toad (S. Rocky Mtn. Population) Description An account of the resource With bumpy green-to-brown skin (occasionally rust or gray) and a thin white stripe along the back, boreal toads look similar to Woodhouse’s toads. Boreal toads occur mostly above 8,000 feet in elevation, whereas Woodhouse’s toads occur mostly below 8,000 feet. Females grow up to 4.3 inches, and males grow up to 3.7 inches. Boreal toads do not have a vocal sac; males emit only a very soft chirp. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Colorado Parks & Wildlife Subject The topic of the resource Boreal toad Fact sheet Extent The size or duration of the resource. 3 pages Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2020-11 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/">No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Fact Sheet Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource English Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Colorado Parks and Wildlife