HABITATMANAGEMENTGUIDELINES FORAMPHIBIANSANDREPTILESOFTHE NORTHWESTERNUNITEDSTATESAND WESTERNCANADA Technical Publication HMG-4 PARTNERS IN AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE CONSERVATION This publication was made possible by the support of the following agencies and organizations. AHO ID F I E S H M A & G The authors are pleased to acknowledge the generous support of the USDA Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and US Environmental Protection Agency for development, editing, layout, and initial printing of this guide. We also thank the State Wildlife Agencies, and all other contributors for their generous support to PARC and their commitment to amphibian and reptile conservation. Front cover photo by David Herasimtschuk Back cover photos by Alan St. John 182716rev25edit:182716 4/9/15 3:46 PM Page i HABITATMANAGEMENTGUIDELINES FORAMPHIBIANSANDREPTILESOFTHE NORTHWESTERNUNITEDSTATESAND WESTERNCANADA TECHNICAL PUBLICATION HMG-4 PURPOSE AND INTENDED USE OF THIS ing a local herpetologist before making significant land- DOCUMENT use changes when implementing the suggested guide- lines. The Guidelines, which are developed by Partners The goal of this book is to provide amphibian and rep- in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), are not tile habitat management guidelines that are easily legally binding or regulatory, and they do not in any way understood and practical for resource managers and attempt to limit landowner rights. They can be regarded private landowners to integrate with other management simply as recommendations from the PARC communi- objectives on the landscape. ty to landowners and managers who are considering the needs of amphibians and reptiles in the course of Many amphibian and reptile populations are vulnerable their land and resource management activities. to the effects of habitat loss and degradation in the Unit- References to specific sources of information used in ed States and Canada. A significant challenge is to each of the regional Guidelines can be found at ensure the persistence of amphibians and reptiles www.parcplace.org. through thoughtful management of private and public lands and the resources they contain. When applied on the ground as general management principles, the guidelines provided in this document will promote con- servation of amphibians and reptiles by ISBN 0-9667402-5-4 ©2008 Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Printed in the United • Keeping common species common States of America. • Stemming the decline of imperiled species • Maintaining existing habitats Suggested citation: • Guiding restoration of degraded habitats Pilliod, D.S. and E. Wind. (editors). 2008. Habitat Landowners and resource managers will benefit from Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Rep- these guidelines because their implementation will pro- tiles of the Northwestern United States and Western vide ecological benefits beyond amphibian and reptile Canada. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conser- conservation. Even if only some of these guidelines are vation, Technical Publication HMG-4, Birmingham, implemented, the cumulative effect will be positive. AL. 139 pp. The general information and specific management guidelines presented here (hereafter Guidelines) are Additional copies may be obtained through PARC. Visit based on the best available science, peer-reviewed www.parcplace.org for more information about placing expert opinion, and published literature. The “Maximiz- orders. Donations to PARC help defray the costs of ing Compatibility” and “Ideal” management guidelines development, printing, postage, and handling, and can are recommendations made and reviewed by groups of be made by check, credit card, or money order. professionally trained herpetologists and wildlife biolo- gists from private, state/provincial, and federal organi- zations. Because of the taxonomic and ecological diver- sity of amphibians and reptiles, some recommendations may not apply to every species in every situation. The authors and editors of the Guidelines suggest consult- HABITAT MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE NORTHWESTERN U.S. i AND WESTERN CANADA 182716rev25edit:182716 4/9/15 3:46 PM Page ii AUTHORS The Habitat Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Northwestern United States and West- ern Canada is the result of generous contributions from the following persons: Senior Authors and Editors: René Martin, MSc, MLIS Biologist, Information Specialist David S. Pilliod, PhD RA Martin Consulting, Calgary, Alberta Research Ecologist U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Rich S. Nauman, MSc Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, Idaho Conservation Scientist National Center for Conservation Science and Policy, Elke Wind, MSc Ashland, Oregon Biologist E. Wind Consulting, Nanaimo, British Columbia Deanna H. Olson, PhD Research Ecologist Contributing Authors: U.S.Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Don T. Ashton, MA Corvallis, Oregon Ecologist U.S.Department of Agrigulture Forest Service, Charles R. Peterson, PhD Pacific Southwest Research Station, Professor and Curator of Herpetology Arcata, California Department of Biological Sciences and Idaho Museum of Natural History Christine A. Bishop, PhD Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho Research Scientist Environment Canada, Science and Technology Mike Sarell, BS, RPBio Branch, Delta, British Columbia Consulting Biologist Ophiuchus Consulting, Oliver, British Columbia R. Bruce Bury, PhD Research Zoologist Brian G. Slough, MSc U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Consulting Biologist Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon Whitehorse, Yukon Territory Charlotte C. Corkran, BA David F. Tessler, MSc Wildlife Consultant Regional Wildlife Biologist Northwest Ecological Research Institute, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Portland, Oregon Anchorage, Alaska John Cossel Jr., DA Associate Professor and Chair Department of Biology, Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho D. Jason Emery Contract Biologist Solitudo Environmental Services, Vancouver, British Columbia Christopher L. Jenkins, PhD Executive Director, Snake Ecologist Project Orianne Ltd., Indigo Snake Initiative, Elke Wind Pocatello, Idaho Newly metamorphosed Rough-skinned Newt. ii WWW.PARCPLACE.ORG 182716rev25edit:182716 4/9/15 3:46 PM Page iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpose and Intended Use of this Document ............i Reservoirs ........................................................87 Preface .....................................................................iv Rivers and Large Streams................................91 Introduction................................................................1 Small Streams ..................................................93 How to Use These Guidelines............................2 Springs and Seeps ..........................................96 Developing a Management Plan ........................3 Semi-permanent and Seasonal Wetlands ........99 Amphibians and Reptiles of the Northwest ........3 Permanent Wetlands, Ponds, and Lakes .......104 Natural History of Amphibians and Reptiles.......5 Conventional Production Agricultural Lands...107 Ecoregional Context of the Northwest..............11 Urban and Suburban Areas............................110 Habitats Important to Amphibians Appendix A. Developing a Comprehensive and Reptiles......................................................11 Management Plan ................................................115 Management Guidelines for Conservation Issues ......................................................................18 Habitat Conversion ...........................................18 Dirt Roads and Trails........................................20 Major Roads and Highways..............................21 Surface and Groundwater Use .........................24 Agricultural Herbicides, Pesticides and Nutrients ....................................................25 Livestock Grazing .............................................26 Timber Harvesting ............................................28 Mining and Oil and Gas Exploration and Development.....................................................31 Fire Management..............................................32 David Pilliod Exploitation .......................................................33 Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge, MT is located in Pleasant Valley in Non-native and Invasive Species .....................34 the west-central portion of Flathead County. It is home to six amphib- ian and seven reptile species. Although refuges such as this play an Subsidized Predators........................................36 important role in safe-guarding habitat for local populations of amphibians and reptiles, the contributions of management actions Disease.............................................................38 taken on all lands will contribute to landscape-level protection. Climate Change ................................................39 Summary of Select Management Guidelines Appendix B. Amphibian and Reptile Species for All Habitat Types................................................40 of the Northwest ....................................................117 Management Guidelines for Appendix C. Useful References and Specific Habitat Types ............................................46 Helpful Websites ...................................................120 Moist Coniferous Forest....................................47 Appendix D. Conservation Programs Dry Coniferous