Rainy nights are a biologist’s dream when on the hunt for endangered Jefferson Salamanders.
The moment the first drops of rain hit the ground, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) research scientists put on their galoshes, attach their head lamps, and head out into York Region forests to find this elusive, nocturnal amphibian.
This multi-year field monitoring and research project aims to provide a better understanding of the range of movement and habitat needs of Jefferson Salamanders within York Region.
This includes determining where their overwintering forest habitat is in relation to their known breeding ponds, and if there are any additional breeding spots in the study area.
The goal is that the information collected from this project will prevent further loss or degradation of the salamander’s habitat, and enable the implementation of mitigation measures where needed.
The project is supported by York Region and the Species at Risk Stewardship Program, and is a collaboration between TRCA and experts at Natural Resource Solutions Inc. and the University of Guelph.
How Do We Survey for Salamanders?
Beginning in October 2020, biologists collected individual salamanders and implanted them with Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) identification tags and radio telemetry tags to track range and patterns of movements.
Tissue samples are also taken for genetic analysis to determine which species of the Jefferson Salamander complex are residing in the study area.
Fall tagging helps to pinpoint the specific forest habitat where this species overwinters.
Once salamanders are located with radio telemetry, ground penetrating radar is used to produce a vertical heat map (see below) showing where they hibernate underground.
The small transmitters are battery operated and last only four to six weeks, so biologists go out every few days to track the salamanders’ movements.
A second round of tagging in early spring helps to identify the salamanders’ path from overwintering forest to breeding ponds.
Laser-triggered cameras are placed at potential crossing locations to identify the timing and frequency of movements and to confirm breeding habitat.
eDNA water samples are also collected from nearby ponds to confirm the presence of breeding salamanders.
Major Pitfall for the Jefferson Salamander: Roads
Jefferson Salamanders travel back and forth, each spring and fall, between the deciduous forests where they overwinter and the wetlands where they breed. This journey can be perilous when the migration route involves crossing roads.
This pitfall is an especially common one for migrating amphibians and reptiles in Toronto region, as most of the GTA landscape is bisected by roads.
Enhancing Habitat Connections
Identifying where and when the salamanders cross roadways is important in recommending strategies to reduce road mortality during migration periods. This April, York Region will be closing roads intermittently on rainy nights to allow for their safe passage.
Preserving or enhancing habitat connectivity — that is, enabling species to travel between different habitats — is one of the keys to maintaining healthy biodiversity. TRCA developed Valley and Stream Corridor Crossings Guidelines (2015) to inform partner municipalities and the private sector on where and how to mitigate the impact of roadways on habitat connectivity.
Preserving High Quality Habitat
The other main issue affecting the survival of Jefferson Salamanders is habitat loss and degradation resulting from urbanization.
The continued presence of the species in the middle of urban development is indicative that what habitat remains is high quality, and therefore supports other sensitive wildlife.
Information from the salamander monitoring and research project could potentially contribute to enhancing the known forest habitat areas and creating new breeding ponds.
Learn More About the Jefferson Salamander
Populations of Jefferson Salamanders (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) and the Jefferson-dependent unisexual Salamanders (Ambystoma laterale-(2) jeffersonianum) are considered “endangered” in Ontario and “threatened” in Canada.
The two species have also been designated the highest level of regional conservation concern by TRCA.
Salamanders are amphibians, meaning they spend part of their life on land and part in the water.
The Jefferson Salamander requires two distinct habitat types to complete its life cycle: upland forest for foraging and wintering, and seasonal wetlands for breeding.
The adults live in moist, loose soil under logs or in leaf litter. During the winter, they hibernate in old rodent burrows or cracks in rocks to avoid freezing. In the spring, salamanders migrate to seasonal breeding ponds in the forest called vernal pools.
The young live in the pond as they develop, eventually dispersing into the nearby forest.
What Can You Do to Help?
- Advocate for or donate to support the protection of unique natural areas.
- Submit any amphibian or reptile observations through the Herps of Ontario project on iNaturalist or directly to the Natural Heritage Information Centre for species at risk.
- Salamanders and other wildlife require an undisturbed forest floor. Keep the following tips in mind when visiting natural areas:
- Stay on designated trails, and respect trail closures
- Keep your dog leashed, as off-leash dogs have considerable impact on ground-nesting birds and other terrestrial wildlife
- Be prepared to carry out your garbage, including pet waste
Through scientific data collection, TRCA tells the stories about the changes affecting the natural areas and watercourses within our regions. For more information, please visit our Monitoring webpage or explore our YouTube playlist.