IT’S A HARD ROCK LIFE: CALIFORNIA RED-LEGGED FROG AND CALIFORNIA TIGER SALAMANDER OBSERVATIONS AT AN ALAMEDA COUNTY QUARRY | |||
| Liza Ryan; Environmental Science Associates; lryan@esassoc.com; Even Holmboe, Sarah Harris, Brendon Quinton, Sharon Melesurgo, Brian Pittman | |||
California red-legged frog (CRLF) and California tiger salamander (CTS) are rare amphibian species listed as threatened in Alameda County under the federal Endangered Species Act; California tiger salamander is also a state threatened species. These species have a hotspot of known occurrences in eastern Alameda County, where they live in a matrix of vernal pools and associated grasslands. At a gravel quarry in this region, over 3 miles of Ertec fencing was installed around the site perimeter, along with wildlife coverboards to provide refuge for CRLF and CTS. A mitigation pond was enhanced to support habitat needs. Coverboard checks were performed during and after rain events from 2014-2025. We examined data from recorded observances of each species (44 CTS/17 CRLF) at the coverboards to evaluate the spatial relationship of sightings relative to potential breeding sites outside the quarry. We also examined historical weather data to determine whether temperature or precipitation conditions promoted species movement. CTS observations showed correlation with precipitation; both species were independent of temperature. We further report other vertebrate species recorded at the site and discuss potential next steps for site management. | |||
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