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      CANARIES OF THE MARSH 
Dr. Thomas Pauley Marshall University Herpetologist "The North American Amphibian monitoring program started four years ago. It's very valuable to us in West Virginia watching the status of our frogs and toads. Volunteers survey 39 different routes across the state by listening to calls, which can be compared year to year showing trends.
Marshall University Graduate Student "The volunteers can quantify the frogs by recording a one, two, or three. One being a mild, individual call. Two being individuals overlapping. Three being a full chorus, like what you are hearing now." Netting and catching frogs is an important part of the research, but sometimes its important to go back to the lab and check historical data.
"This is the state collection for amphibians and reptiles. We have about 15,000 specimens. Some of these date back into the early 1900s, so we have an idea of what was going on with those frogs in those days compared with now." Frogs are excellent indicators of problems in the environment. Unfortunately, the news is not good for frogs. Dr. Thomas Pauley We have certainly seen some decline. On one sub-species of cricket frog, known just to occur along the Ohio River, is no longer present. That happened in the last 20 years. The W.Va. DNR provides funding for this effort as well as numerous research projects across the state.
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Biologist "The DNR receives report on their research, which will help us better understand the animal and environment in which they were studying. Then we can use that to better manage the resource. The study will continue through 2010.
West Virginia Division Of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section P.O. Box 67 Elkins, WV 26241 Links to learn more All about the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program Contact Tom Pauley at Marshall University if you want to participate. Frog Call Survey Volunteers Needed at the W.Va. DNR West Virginia Wildlife Diversity Program Publications at the W.Va. DNR The Wood Frog: W.Va. DNR Frogs & Toads of West Virginia: W.Va DNR Frogwatch USA: West Virginia Frogs at the National Wildlife Federation Froghoo! Resources:Amphibian Conservation Alliance |
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GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA'S WILDLIFE  
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