Amphibians migrate from wetlands and ponds to forests, back and forth multiple times a year, to complete their lifecycles.

Many of the wetlands and ponds in this neighbourhood are surrounded by roads. Amphibians must cross these roads to breed and return to their forest homes. Unfortunately, many amphibians are killed attempting to make this journey.

Across the world, road mortality is a serious issue for species conservation planning, and especially for amphibians.

Check out this BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy “Guidelines for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation During Road Building and Management Activities in British Columbia” to learn more about road mortality impacts to amphibians and suggested best practices.

Invasive species are those that do not originate in the area and cause harm to the local ecosystem. In the Ryder Lake neighbourhood, invasive plants and animals pose significant threats to amphibian populations.

One invasive plant, the Yellow flag iris, can dominate ponds and wetlands, create dense mats which decrease the suitability for native species. Read the Metro Vancouver Best Management Practice for Yellow flag iris here.

The invasive American Bullfrog, recently detected in the Ryder Lake neighbourhood, can quickly spread across the landscape and outcompete native frogs for resources. Their impacts on sensitive ecosystems like this one are thought to be severe but are not fully understood. Check out our Bullfrogs and Biodiversity program page for more information. 

Amphibians need healthy, connected habitats to complete their lifecycles. Habitat loss occurs when the features amphibians need, like forests, ponds, streams, and riparian (streamside) areas, are developed or removed from the landscape. When this occurs bit by bit in a neighbourhood, entire populations of amphibians can be affected and each loss is amplified by the next.

Similarly, habitat fragmentation is the loss of connection between habitat types. As properties are altered without careful stewardship planning, important connections between ponds and forests can be lost, leaving amphibians unable to access the areas they need to survive.

If you are wondering how your property might help connect habitats for species in your neighbourhood consider joining our Nature Stewards program.