Fire supression and the decline of Bufo boreas in Glacier National Park

Abstract/Summary

There have been documented decreases in B. boreas populations throughout Glacier National Park, but the causes are not as of yet fully understood. These toads breed preferentially in small, shallow ponds located at high elevations. Due to the high elevations, one potential cause of decline is that is currently being studied is increased UV-B radiation and its effect on disease. Another potential cause for their decline is lack of fire. Due to the particular life history of the boreal toad, a pond breeder that evolved in fire-disturbed landscape, lack of fire disturbance may play an important role in explaining the decline. The effect of fire management practices on amphibians is one of the least studied and most poorly understood possible reasons for amphibian decline.