Amphibian Inventory
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Importance / IssuesAmphibians are an essential element of aquatic biodiversity in montane environments of Lassen Volcanic National Park and in other parks with montane lakes and wetlands. Amphibians are typically the top native vertebrate predators and may comprise the majority of biomass in montane lakes, streams, and wetlands. Since amphibian declines are occurring throughout the Pacific Northwest and California, any quantitative study which helps to disentangle the factors affecting montane amphibian populations will contribute to the body of science about regional amphibian declines. Consequently, it will help scientists and managers in other parks to better understand the possible factors influencing their amphibian populations, as well as to grasp the inevitable regional variation in such relationships. Findings from a study of fish and amphibians at LAVO will have immediate value for both conservation and restoration within the park and region-wide. Recent declines in the Cascades frog in Lassen Volcanic National Park have demonstrated that park populations are in immediate risk of extirpation. It is unknown how many frogs remain in the park, the factors causing the decline, and the species’ prospect for recovery. A rigorous, quantitative analysis of fish and frog populations is essential to preserve this element of park biodiversity. Abundances and population trajectories for other amphibian species are even less well known. Conservation and restoration of native amphibians in the park will require quantitative information on relationships between animal populations and the factors believed to be responsible for this decline. |
 ObjectivesThe first objective of this project was to document the complete amphibian and fish fauna in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The second objective was to directly address the effects of introduced fish, the most obvious, measurable, and potentially reversible factor potentially contributing to amphibian declines in Lassen Volcanic National Park. |