Amphibian Survey Reveals Hidden Biodiversity at Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park
Sometimes the most exciting discoveries in nature are not the ones we see but are the ones we hear.
This spring, BLESS launched an exciting new initiative to better understand one of the least studied groups of wildlife within Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park: its amphibians.
The project was spearheaded by BLESS Director Lasiru Wijesuriya, whose interest in documenting the park's biodiversity grew while developing improved trail maps for the park. Recognizing that amphibians are excellent indicators of environmental health, Lasiru developed the survey to learn which frogs and toads inhabit the wetland habitats of the Big Lake ecosystem. The initiative grew into a collaborative citizen science project involving BLESS volunteers and members of the public.
One of the project's primary objectives was to collect ecological information that can help guide future park management. By identifying areas that support sensitive amphibian populations, the survey will provide valuable information to Alberta Parks when considering the closure and rehabilitation of unofficial user-created trails that may be fragmenting habitat or disturbing important breeding and movement areas. Using sound ecological data to inform management decisions helps ensure that conservation actions are directed where they will have the greatest benefit.
The project also attracted considerable media attention. It was featured in the St. Albert Gazette in the article "BLESS Seeks Frog Finders" and on CBC Radio Active, introducing a wider audience to the remarkable diversity of amphibian life hidden within the Big Lake landscape.
One of the most exciting outcomes of the survey was the detection of Boreal Toads (Anaxyrus boreas). Their discovery is significant because Boreal Toads are considered a species of conservation concern in many parts of western Canada and are much less commonly encountered than many other amphibians.
The finding is especially encouraging when viewed alongside other recent discoveries. Boreal Toads have recently been documented in Wagner Natural Area, are known to occur in Elk Island National Park, and previous natural area assessments have identified them along Carrot Creek, highlighting the creek's habitat quality and importance as an ecological corridor. Together, these records suggest that the Edmonton region continues to support scattered but valuable populations of this sensitive amphibian. It also points to the need to ensure that future development work taking place along Carrot Creek by the City of St Albert is conducted in a way that is sensitive to this uncommon species.
Amphibians are often referred to as environmental indicators because they are highly sensitive to changes in water quality, wetland condition, vegetation, and surrounding upland habitat. Their presence is often a sign of a healthy, functioning ecosystem. Every new record helps build our understanding of the Big Lake watershed and complements the extensive work already being undertaken by BLESS on birds, wetlands, native vegetation, and watershed health.
The success of this first survey has opened the door to future work. BLESS is exploring opportunities to expand amphibian monitoring into other natural areas surrounding Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park in collaboration with additional partners. Areas of interest include the White Spruce Forest Park, Carrot Creek,and other points along the Sturgeon River where additional surveys could improve our understanding of Boreal Toad distribution,
The project has also highlighted the value of passive acoustic monitoring. The autonomous microphones used to record frog and toad calls can also be deployed to survey birds, allowing BLESS to monitor dawn choruses, nocturnal migrants, owls, rails, and other elusive species. Using the same equipment for both amphibian and bird monitoring along with specially designed bird call recognition software will help build long-term biodiversity datasets while making efficient use of volunteer effort and conservation resources.
The amphibian survey is an excellent example of how curiosity leads to conservation. By asking questions, collecting data, and working together with volunteers, researchers, students, and community partners, BLESS continues to deepen our understanding of one of Alberta's most important near-urban natural areas.
The discovery of Boreal Toads reminds us that Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park still holds many surprises. Sometimes the first step in protecting wildlife is simply taking the time to listen.
Learn More:
St. Albert Gazette: BLESS Seeks Frog Finders
https://www.stalbertgazette.com/local-news/bless-seeks-frog-finders-12256145
CBC Radio Active: The Search for Frog Finders
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-52-radio-active/clip/16215777-the-search-frog-finders
