Results from a roadside survey tracking biodiversity in the Parkland region, including Lloydminster have been calculated.
Biologist and Instructor of Environmental Sciences at Lakeland College Darcey Shyry took the lead in the BioBlitz project that searches for amphibians and reptiles in east-central Alberta and west-central Saskatchewan.
The survey took place over May long weekend where local participants took a drive on rural roads stopping in wet areas such as lakes and rivers. The participants listened to hear any toads or frogs calling to determine if the amphibians were in the area.
The results found from 2017 to 2018 there was a general increase in frog and toad callings in the parkland area, for example, the Canadian toad was heard 23 times in 2017 and 32 in 2018. The wood frog was the only decrease in amphibians heard with five calls, whereas in 2017 the number was 27.
The results will go into the government’s database on wildlife conservation and from there Shyry will nominate the area for an Important Reptile and Amphibian Area.