Status and trends of Blanchard’s Cricket Frog near the northern extent of its range
Blanchard’s cricket frog (Acris blanchardi) is currently listed as an endangered species in Wisconsin and Minnesota, is threatened in Michigan, and has potentially declining populations in Iowa and Illinois as well as suspected declines across much of its northern range. Ware surveying frogs across four states to better understand potential distribution changes relative to surveys that occurred in the early 2000’s, and to identify the drivers of these potential changes.
This study aims to determine the current status of the Blanchard’s cricket frog in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, compare ongoing survey data to historical records, and determine which environmental variables can be used to predict status and trends.
Researchers will revisit sites with past Blanchard’s cricket frog calling or observation records as well as new potential habitat in and near the known breeding range across the four states, collecting calling data on all frog and toad species. We will then use statistical models to determine which environmental covariates can be used to predict population changes.
This project is ongoing and collaborates with the Minnesota and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Illinois Natural History Survey.
This is project is part of the USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI).
Blanchard’s cricket frog (Acris blanchardi) is currently listed as an endangered species in Wisconsin and Minnesota, is threatened in Michigan, and has potentially declining populations in Iowa and Illinois as well as suspected declines across much of its northern range. Ware surveying frogs across four states to better understand potential distribution changes relative to surveys that occurred in the early 2000’s, and to identify the drivers of these potential changes.
This study aims to determine the current status of the Blanchard’s cricket frog in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, compare ongoing survey data to historical records, and determine which environmental variables can be used to predict status and trends.
Researchers will revisit sites with past Blanchard’s cricket frog calling or observation records as well as new potential habitat in and near the known breeding range across the four states, collecting calling data on all frog and toad species. We will then use statistical models to determine which environmental covariates can be used to predict population changes.
This project is ongoing and collaborates with the Minnesota and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Illinois Natural History Survey.
This is project is part of the USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI).