Colorado Natural Heritage Program amphibian surveys on Soapstone Prairie Natural Area
Date
2018-10
Authors
Lambert, Brad, author
Colorado Natural Heritage Program, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is Colorado's only comprehensive source of information on the status and location of Colorado's rarest and most threatened species and plant communities. CNHP tracks and ranks Colorado’s rare and imperiled species and habitat and provides scientific information and expertise to promote the conservation of Colorado's biological resources. Established in 1979, the CNHP is a non-profit scientific organization in the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. In 2018 the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas established an agreement with CNHP to conduct amphibian surveys on the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area located in Larimer County, Colorado. Using a survey site priority list developed by Natural Area biologists, CNHP conducted amphibian surveys at 22 sites within the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area between May 7, 2018 and August 28, 2018. The primary targets of the surveys were the Northern Leopard Frog but additional amphibian species present on the property were of interest as well and occurrences noted in this report. Once common throughout most of Colorado, the Northern Leopard Frog has experienced declines in distribution and abundance throughout much its range in the state. Today it is classified as a USFS sensitive species and a State of Colorado species of special concern. Four surveys were conducted by CNHP biologists and no Northern Leopard Frogs were detected. Boreal Chorus Frogs were found calling at numerous locations throughout the natural area and one Woodhouse's Toad was heard calling in early May. It was a very dry spring and summer on the Soapstone Natural Area which resulted in a lack of amphibian activity and breeding habitat in 2018. Although conditions were not optimal for amphibian detection, potential habitat for Northern Leopard Frogs was identified at several locations. Continued surveys are recommended to improve the confidence of documenting the presence or absence of Northern Leopard Frogs on the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. There is a recent observation of this species at the nearby Meadow Springs Ranch that suggests the possibility of Northern Leopard Frogs on the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.
Description
Prepared for: Aran Meyer, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas.
October 2018.
Includes bibliographical references.
October 2018.
Includes bibliographical references.
Rights Access
Subject
Colorado
reptiles
amphibians
surveys
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area