Open AccessRange‐wide persistence of the endangered arroyo toad ( Anaxyrus californicus ) for 20+ years following a prolonged drought
Author(s) -
Hitchcock Cynthia J.,
Gallegos Elizabeth A.,
Backlin Adam R.,
Barabe Russell,
Bloom Peter H.,
Boss Kimberly,
Brehme Cheryl S.,
Brown Christopher W.,
Clark Denise R.,
Clark Elizabeth R.,
Cooper Kevin,
Donnell Julie,
Ervin Edward,
Famolaro Peter,
Guilliam Kim M.,
Hancock Jacquelyn J.,
Hess Nicholas,
Howard Steven,
Hubbartt Valerie,
Lieske Patrick,
Lovich Robert,
Matsuda Tritia,
MeyerWilkins Katherin,
Muri Kamarul,
Nerhus Barry,
Nordland Jeff,
Ortega Brock,
Packard Robert,
Ramirez Ruben,
Stewart Sam C.,
Sweet Samuel,
Warburton Manna,
Wells Jeffrey,
Winkleman Ryan,
Winter Kirsten,
Zitt Brian,
Fisher Robert N.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.8796
Subject(s) - endangered species , range (aeronautics) , ecology , amphibian , climate change , habitat , geography , introduced species , biology , extant taxon , toad , materials science , composite material , evolutionary biology
Prolonged drought due to climate change has negatively impacted amphibians in southern California, U.S.A. Due to the severity and length of the current drought, agencies and researchers had growing concern for the persistence of the arroyo toad ( Anaxyrus californicus ), an endangered endemic amphibian in this region. Range‐wide surveys for this species had not been conducted for at least 20 years. In 2017–2020, we conducted collaborative surveys for arroyo toads at historical locations. We surveyed 88 of the 115 total sites having historical records and confirmed that the arroyo toad is currently extant in at least 61 of 88 sites and 20 of 25 historically occupied watersheds. We did not detect toads at almost a third of the surveyed sites but did detect toads at 18 of 19 specific sites delineated in the 1999 Recovery Plan to meet one of four downlisting criteria. Arroyo toads are estimated to live 7–8 years, making populations susceptible to prolonged drought. Drought is estimated to increase in frequency and duration with climate change. Mitigation strategies for drought impacts, invasive aquatic species, altered flow regimes, and other anthropogenic effects could be the most beneficial strategies for toad conservation and may also provide simultaneous benefits to several other native species that share the same habitat.