Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Wyoming
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Wyoming Project


Survival of boreal toads across multiple life stages in relation to habitat, grazing, disease, and climate

July 2017 - December 2021


Personnel

Participating Agencies

  • Wyoming Game and Fish Department

The boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas) was once widespread and common, but has suffered substantial population declines in the Rocky Mountain region. As a result, the boreal toad is a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (NSS1, Tier 1) in Wyoming. Factors believed to be contributing to boreal toad decline include disease, habitat loss and alteration, pollution, and changing weather. The overall project objective is to develop a better understanding of boreal toad survival at multiple life stages in relation to habitat, grazing management practices, disease, and climatic variables. Project partners include the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Forest Service. Results will clarify risks to the population sustainability of boreal toads in Wyoming and beyond, and the specific mechanisms underlying survival across life stages.