Amphibians

Amphibians are an important part of the ecological balance of many habitats. They can behave like sponges, soaking up water and air through their skin. This makes them prone to localized sources of contamination. It also makes them good indicators of environmental health.

Cuyahoga Valley is home to 10 members of the family that includes salamanders and newts, and nine members of the frog and toad family. You can hear or see these animals in many of the wetlands and ponds that dot the park landscape. Remnants of the Ohio & Erie Canal often contain water and are a great place to see both reptiles and amphibians. Take a short walk on the Towpath Trail on a late spring morning and you might hear the quick "peep-peep-peep" of spring peepers or the low resonant "rumm-rumm-rumm" of a bullfrog.

The park's salamanders are harder to find. They are typically hidden in the forest near small temporary ponds, or in and along streams. However, seasonal migrations of salamanders can be observed during rainy spring nights. The migration is dangerous in many park locations, because it includes crossing roadways to get to the amphibians' breeding ponds. Park scientists are working to better understand the effects of mortality caused by road collisions during migration. Scientists and engineers across the federal government are working together to design safer road crossings for amphibians and other wildlife.

Marsh Monitoring

Park staff and volunteers have monitored frogs and marsh birds since 1995 as part of a long term Marsh Monitoring Program (MMP). The MMP was established by Bird Studies Canada and Environment Canada in 1994. It is a bi-national, long term monitoring program that coordinates the skills, interests, and stewardship of hundreds of citizens across the Great Lakes basin. It seeks to help understand, monitor, and conserve the region's wetlands and their amphibian and bird inhabitants. The program receives support from Environment Canada, U.S. Great Lakes Protection Fund, U.S. Environmental Protection Fund, and Great Lakes 2000 Cleanup Fund.

The MMP has been monitoring trends in marsh birds and calling amphibians using data provided by more than 600 volunteers. Recent population trends for certain Great Lakes marsh birds suggest habitat fragmentation and degradation are occurring throughout the region. MMP data also showed that most Great Lakes frog and toad species are declining, which further highlights the need for wetland conservation and restoration. Visit the MMP website to learn more.

Marsh birds and frogs are monitored at five sites in the park as part of this long term monitoring project. Marsh birds are monitored twice each spring using broadcast calling surveys. Frogs are monitored three times each spring using point counts.

Use the search tool below to see which creatures call the Cuyahoga Valley home.