Document: BRI-3-28-31

The Researching amphibian numbers in Alberta (RANA) Project: Combining public education and amphibian monitoring.

EATON, B.* ¹, C.PASZKOWSKI ¹ and L.TAKATS ²

University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2E9 ¹
Alberta Conservation Association / Alberta Environmental Protection, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6H 4P2 ²

Abstract:
The Researching Amphibian Numbers in Alberta (RANA) project was founded in 1997 to address the need to establish baseline data on amphibian populations in Alberta, and to provide information to the public regarding amphibian ecology at the same time. Each RANA project site consists of a pond or lake known to provide breeding habitat to one or more amphibian species; drift fence and pitfall traps are used to capture amphibians moving to and from these water bodies. Intensive trapping occurs in the spring (to capture breeding adults) and fall (to capture emerging metamorphs). RANA project personnel also carry out amphibian surveys in areas adjacent to the RANA site, and establish and deliver ecologically oriented public education programs largely based on amphibians. To facilitate the interaction between the RANA project and the public, RANA sites are usually associated with recreation or parks areas, such as provincial parks or biological research stations. To date, seven RANA project sites have been established throughout Alberta, with representation in most of the ecoregions of the province. Over one thousand people received information about the RANA project, and amphibian ecology, during the summer of 1999. In addition, project sites have served as training areas for park wardens, naturalists, and Junior Forest Rangers, and RANA personnel have interacted with naturalist clubs, wildlife groups, and the media to increase public knowledge of the project, and amphibian ecology. Baseline information collected at RANA sites can be used to estimate changes in amphibian populations from year to year in each area, and to provide background data on factors such as deformitity and parasitism levels.

Keywords: amphibian monitoring, public education

This abstract is being presented at: 3:30 PM in session:
Poster Session #3: Education.