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Review and Synthesis of Literature on Tailed Frogs (Genus Ascaphus) with Special Reference to Managed Landscapes

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Review and Synthesis of Literature on Tailed Frogs (Genus Ascaphus) with Special Reference to Managed Landscapes Review and Synthesis of Literature on Tailed Frogs (genus Ascaphus) with Special Reference to Managed Landscapes edited by: Marc P. Hayes and Timothy Quinn March 2015 CMER #01-107 This page intentionally left blank March 2015 Washington State Forest Practices Adaptive Management Program The Washington State Forest Practices Board (FPB) has established an Adaptive Management Program (AMP) by rule in accordance with the Forests & Fish Report (FFR) and subsequent legislation. The pur- pose of this program is to: Provide science-based recommendations and technical information to assist the FPB in determining if and when it is necessary or advisable to adjust rules and guidance for aquatic resources to achieve resource goals and objectives. The board may also use this program to adjust other rules and guidance. (Forest Practices Rules, WAC 222-12- 045(1)). To help provide the information needed to support adaptive management, the FPB established and empowered the Cooperative Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (CMER) committee to conduct effectiveness and validation monitoring in accordance with WAC 222-12-045 and Board Manual Section 22. Report Type and Disclaimer This technical report contains scientific information from research and monitoring studies designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the forest practices rules in achieving Forest and Fish performance goals, resource objectives, and/or performance targets. The document was prepared for the Cooperative Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Committee (CMER) and was intended to inform the Forest and Fish Adaptive Management program. The project is part of the Type N Amphibian Response Program, and was conducted under the oversight of the Landscape and Wildlife Advisory Group (LWAG). This document was reviewed by CMER and was assessed through the Adaptive Management Program’s independent scientific peer review process. CMER has approved this document for distribution as an official CMER document. As a CMER document, CMER is in consensus on the scientific merit of the document. However, any conclusions, interpretations, or recommendations contained within this document are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of all CMER members. The Forest Practices Board, CMER, and all the participants in the Adaptive Management Program hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of accuracy or fitness for any use of this report other than for the Adaptive Management Program. Reliance on the contents of this report by any persons or entities outside of the Adaptive Management Program established by WAC 222-12-045 is solely at the risk of the user. Historical Background The original version of this review was done mid-2001 under contract with Glenn D. Sutherland, Cortex Consultants Inc. (1218 Langley Street, Suite 2a, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W 1W2), at a time when all tailed frogs comprised one species, Ascaphus truei, with a nomenclature dating from its first description 102 years previous (Stejneger 1899). Tanya R. Wahbe was lead author on that effort and Sutherland and Linda A. Dupuis were co-authors. As happens, timing did not favor CMER, and though the original review was approved, partitioning of tailed frogs into two species (Nielsen et al. 2001) during the document’s review process ultimately led to its rejection during peer-reviewed submittal. CMER declined to provide funding for the substantial revision needed to reflect this species reorganization, so this project became an unfunded mandate that Marc Hayes took on to complete. In evolving from its original 35-page form, Hayes retained original ideas and used sectional authorship to maintain recognition for the original authors. Further, the emergence of climate change from a background consideration to an unquestionable emerging threat over the period of revision led Hayes to add a section specifically addressing climate change issues that may impact tailed frogs. March 2015 Proprietary Statement This review was developed with public funding, including contracts IAA 01-011. As such, it is within the public use domain. However, the concept of this work originated with the Washington State Forest Practices Adaptive Management Program and the editors. As a public resource document, this review should be cited as: Hayes, M.P., and T. Quinn (editors). 2015. Review and Synthesis of the Literature on Tailed Frogs (genus Ascaphus) with Special Reference to Managed Landscapes. Cooperative Monitoring Evaluation and Research Report CMER 01-107. Washington State Forest Practices Adaptive Management Program. Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA. Author or Editor Contact Information Marc P. Hayes Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Program, Science Division 600 Capitol Way North, Mailstop 43143 Olympia, Washington 98501-1091 e-mail: [email protected] Timothy Quinn Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Habitat Program, Science Division 600 Capitol Way North, Mailstop 43143 Olympia, Washington 98501-1091 e-mail: [email protected] Acknowledgements Acknowledgements can be found in the last text section, which is consistent with the formatting of Northwest Fauna, the proposed peer-reviewed publication outlet for this document. March 2015 Review and Synthesis of Literature on Tailed Frogs (genus Ascaphus) with Special Reference to Managed Landscapes March 17, 2015 Prepared for: The State of Washington Forest Practices Adaptive Management Program Department of Natural Resources Personal Service Contract #01-107 Prepared by: Marc P. Hayes and Timothy Quinn Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife 1111Washington Street S.E. Olympia, WA 98501 March 2015 Review and Synthesis of Literature on Tailed Frogs (genus Ascaphus) with Special Reference to Managed Landscapes edited by: Marc P. Hayes and Timothy Quinn for the: Cooperative Management, Evaluation, and Research Committee (CMER) The Landscape and Wildlife Advisory Group (LWAG) and The Amphibian Research Consortium (ARC) submitted to: Washington State Department of Natural Resources 1111 Washington Street, SE, 4th floor PO Box 47012 Olympia, Washington 98504-7012 17 March 2015 March 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................. vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..........................................................................................................1 INTRODUCTION, BACKGROUND AND SYSTEMATICS ..............................................................3 The Early Years (1897-1924) ..........................................................................................3 The Noble Revolution (1925-1948) ..................................................................................6 Early Systematic Efforts (1949-1978) ..............................................................................7 Modern Approaches Leading to Current Understanding (1979-Present) .......................8 DISTRIBUTIONAL SUMMARY ...............................................................................................12 Range of Tailed Frogs in North America ......................................................................12 Elevational Range ..........................................................................................................15 Landscape-Level Occupancy .........................................................................................17 Landscape-Level Abundance .........................................................................................28 Genetic Patterns and Distribution .................................................................................32 STATUS ...............................................................................................................................37 LIFE HISTORY .....................................................................................................................39 The Seasonal Template ..................................................................................................39 The Breeding Season .....................................................................................................39 The Non-Breeding Active Season ..................................................................................44 The Overwintering Season .............................................................................................74 HABITAT DESCRIPTION AND ASSOCIATIONS .......................................................................75 Aquatic Habitat ..............................................................................................................76 Terrestrial Habitat .........................................................................................................92 Other Features ...............................................................................................................95 POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF FORESTRY PRACTICES...................................................................98 The Early Years (1920-1979) ........................................................................................98 The Era of Implemented Studies (1980-1994) .............................................................100 The Era of Manipulative Studies (1995-present) .........................................................106 CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE RANGE
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