NEW JERSEY HERALD (Newton, New Jersey) 01 May 07 Amphibian Crossing (Roberta Fugate)
Each year, on cool, rainy evenings in early spring, amphibians such as blue-spotted salamanders and wood frogs, begin the risky journey from their winter homes burrowed under the forest floors to cross the state's roadways in search of vernal pools needed for reproduction.
Unfortunately, because of the increased congestion created by humans, along with increases in traffic patterns, crossing the roads for the amphibians is becoming more difficult with each passing year. It is for this reason that volunteer "crossing guards" are assisting these tiny creatures to their destinations.
In addition to the crossing guards, volunteers also survey the roads to track the number of amphibians crossing and the number of those who are hit by cars before they can make it across.
"We have been noticing over time in New Jersey that traffic has increased and that it's virtually impossible for them (the amphibians) to cross," said Mike Anderson, acting director, Scherman-Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, New Jersey Audubon Society.
Anderson said the crossing guards are there on every rainy night in the spring, when they know the vernal pond obligates are going to cross.
The amphibian crossings are "fascinating things in the great out-of-doors that a lot of people miss because it's in the dark and in the rain," Anderson said.
"Unfortunately this was not a good year for doing the survey," said Kris Schantz, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Endangered and Nongame Species Program.
Schantz said unfortunately the optimal weather conditions needed for the crossings occurred for only a few days in March, around 3 a.m.
Some of the crossing sites were known by researchers and have been passed on, Anderson said. But, he added, the sites are purposely not made public because it would only add to the already-congested traffic and because many people collect the amphibians, although it is illegal, he said.
It is beneficial for us to assist the amphibians because "the amphibians are a bio-indicator of the environment," Anderson said.
Observing the condition of the amphibians can offer insight into water conditions because they are an early warning system for us. They can indicate environmental changes such as water pollution and temperature changes. In some areas where water pollution is reported, Anderson said, there has been an increase in amphibian abnormalities.
Amphibians are facing a decrease in population because of water pollution, increased pesticide use and loss of habitats. "Worldwide we have seen a decline in amphibians," Anderson said.
Schantz said at a crossing in Hardwick the volunteers observed nearly 15 amphibians crossing over a two hour period "and more than half were killed by cars."
Anderson said ideal conditions for the crossings include a thawed ground, steady rain and temperatures around 44 degrees.
This year the colder temperatures and late snowfall made the amphibian crossings less predictable.
The New Jersey Audubon Society partners with the Endangered and Nongame species division of Fish and Wildlife and the Conserve Wild Life Foundation to organize the amphibian crossings.
Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to conserving and protecting New Jersey's endangered and threatened wildlife.
The observation of egg masses in the vernal pools is the best indication that the amphibians have already migrated.
Anderson said there are seven sites in the area now and anticipates the amount of sites will double next year.
"It's a race against time," Anderson said, "as traffic increases, so does the danger."
"Eventually we will need to provide a way for them (the amphibians) to go under the roadways or continue to have crossing guards to help them across," he said.
Schantz said the immediate solution for helping the amphibians cross would be temporary road closings. But, she said, they hope to eventually get funding for multiple culverts so they can cross. "We have big plans and big goals," she said. Optimally, she said, raised roads would be installed so that the amphibians could cross under the roadways safely.
This year the Friends of Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge participated in the amphibian crossing project. Volunteer Ken Witkowski said there were a couple of locations in the refuge where activity at the crossings was noticed, but said that the conditions this year were less than favorable for the crossings.
The last day out for the volunteers was April 1, Witkowski said. The group consisted of 15 to 20 volunteers that made up three teams who covered three routes of crossings in the area. The volunteers noticed several wood frogs in the area but very few spotted salamanders. The amphibians were observed on the southern and eastern edges of the refuge, Witkowski said.
Witkowski said future participation in the crossings will depend on what the state says. Once they have compiled and sent their data, he said, a determination will be made.
Schantz said amphibian crossing data for this season is still being compiled.
Survival for many of the amphibians is questionable unless some sort of solution is found to help them safely cross the roads. Witkowski said that there is a 50 to 75 percent mortality rate for amphibians that are not protected as they cross the roads.
Amphibian Crossing