Canada’s amphibian and reptile species are undergoing dramatic declines. These declines are echoed throughout the world, with unprecedented losses occurring due to emerging diseases, habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species and other threats.
It is important that we take action to prevent the ongoing decline and extirpation/extinction of these species. Amphibians and reptiles are an important part of our cultural and natural heritage. They are also integral to food webs and healthy, diverse ecosystems, and they provide important services that many other species, including humans, depend on. For example, amphibians are often important predators in their food webs and they keep populations of insect pests in check by consuming species such as mosquitoes and their larvae. They also play an important role in nutrient cycling between aquatic and terrestrial environments. Snakes prevent rodents from becoming overpopulated and provide an important natural buffer against disease outbreaks that can seriously harm humans, livestock and pets. Recent research has shown that by consuming rodents, snakes control tick populations and reduce the risk of Lyme disease. And some species, such as Snapping Turtle, are scavengers and help to keep ponds, lakes and wetlands clean by consuming dead animals. Finally, research into amphibian and reptile physiology, biochemistry, toxicology, etc. continues to yield groundbreaking medical discoveries that may not have been possible without these species.
In Canada, the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) provides protection for all extirpated, endangered and threatened species and their critical habitat. Unfortunately, critical habitat protection under SARA only applies on federal land, unless an emergency protection order is issued for non-federal land (which is rare); the vast majority of Canada’s federal land occurs in the three territories and is limited throughout most parts of the country where amphibians and reptiles occur. However, each province or territory has its own legislation that provides protection for reptiles and amphibians. Some provinces, such as Ontario, have strong endangered species legislation that achieves a similar level of protection as SARA. However, other provinces, such as British Columbia, lack endangered species legislation, making it very difficult to protect species at risk and their habitat from threats such as habitat destruction and road construction. In addition to protection for species at risk, many provinces have a wide range of other legislation and policies that provides varying levels of protection for amphibians and reptiles and their habitats, such as legislation that governs wildlife management, forestry practices, and municipal planning. The following is a list of some of the agencies, laws and policies that provide protection for amphibians and reptiles in each province and territory in Canada.
Canada has more than 40 National Parks and thousands of Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves, Conservation Areas, ecological reserves, land trusts and other protected areas. Protected areas are vital to conserve and recover amphibian and reptile populations in Canada, especially because one of the most significant threats to these species is habitat loss and fragmentation. For example, southwestern Ontario has the highest amphibian and reptile species diversity in Canada, but is also one of the most densely human-populated areas in the country. Increasing urban sprawl and development means that amphibians and reptiles are in need of protected areas which will remain largely undeveloped and that have “wildlife corridors” connecting them. Long Point Provincial Park, Turkey Point Provincial Park, Long Point National Wildlife Area, and several other protected areas are located close together along the north shore of Lake Erie and provide protection for reptiles and amphibians (and other biodiversity) in this highly developed landscape. If a sufficient amount of high quality habitat can be protected, a landscape-approach to species conservation can be taken, and multiple species (and entire ecosystems) can be protected and conserved.
However, habitat protection alone does not guarantee the long-term persistence of amphibian and reptile populations within protected areas. Other threats, such as road mortality, disease and human persecution can result in population decline and extirpation despite efforts to protect the habitat. For example, road mortality is one of the most significant threats to amphibians and reptiles in Canada, yet many protected areas actually have higher road densities and traffic volumes than the surrounding landscape. Thus, the degree of protection that these areas provide for amphibians and reptiles depends on how well they mitigate the full spectrum of threats that are affecting these species. Fortunately, most protected areas are managed for ecological integrity and wildlife conservation, and concerted efforts are often in place to reduce threats to wildlife species (e.g. reduced speed limits, educational programs and signage, etc.).
There are many organizations and individuals that are working hard to protect and recover Canada‘s amphibian and reptile species and their habitats. Provincial and federal government agencies are responsible for developing recovery strategies and identifying and protecting habitat for species at risk, and many governments also provide financial support for projects that contribute to the protection and recovery of species at risk in Canada through funding programs such as the federal Habitat Stewardship Program. Environmental NGOs, local stewardship groups, municipal agencies (e.g. Zoos, Conservation Authorities) and other conservation organizations play an essential role in developing and implementing amphibian and reptile conservation and stewardship projects across Canada at local, provincial and national scales. For example, the Toronto Zoo’s award-winning Adopt-a-Pond Programme has made an immense contribution to amphibian and reptile conservation in Ontario over the past 20 years through the development of numerous educational, stewardship and citizen science initiatives. The CHS Amphibian and Reptile Projects in Canada page provides a summary of some of some of these projects, and the CHS Stewardship and Education Products page provides links to educational and conservation tools that may be useful to support your new or ongoing amphibian and reptile conservation efforts.
Canadians with all levels of training, experience and knowledge can contribute to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the following ways: