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Amphibian Study at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Frog near road at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
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If you remember the 1980’s arcade game “Frogger”, the goal was to move your frog through busy traffic across a road. The game reflected real life – frogs and other animals are challenged to deal with roads and traffic.

Each year from February through April, many frogs, toads, and salamanders in Northeastern Ohio emerge from the forest at night to move towards areas with water where they breed. During this journey, these animals may have to cross roads. This is difficult in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, an area with many natural areas and many roads. Cars and trucks may accidentally run over these animals, especially when they are moving in large numbers.

Spotted salamander at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. — Spotted salamander at Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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To understand how vehicles impact amphibians in the park, we studied amphibians as they moved across Riverview Road to Everett Swamp. We watched animals cross the road on nine different nights during February through May. We counted 501 amphibians, which included eight different kinds of species. Most individuals (over 90%) moved on just three of these nights. American toads and spring peepers were the most common animals that we saw. For that reason, they were also the most likely to be killed on the road. We also saw wood frogs, spotted salamanders, gray treefrogs, and green frogs that were killed in traffic. Nearly one-fourth (21.2%) of the amphibians died while crossing the road. The roads were most dangerous between 8:40 pm and 9:40 pm. This was a time when traffic was busy and amphibians were very active.

Graph of Amphibians killed on roadways at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
NPS

The National Park Service continues to find ways to balance the benefits of modern life, such as our roadways, with the protection of plants and animals. This study reminds us that human actions affect these creatures that must move between their homes on land and in water. With our care and planning, more frogs, toads, and salamanders can make it to the other side.