Three new key biodiversity areas (KBA) have been identified in the Kootenays thanks to the presence of rare, threatened frog species.
The new designation identifies Elmer Creek, Yahk-Gilnockie and Flathead West as critical habitats for northern leopard frogs and Rocky Mountain tailed frogs.
The designation gives conservation groups and local, Indigenous, provincial and federal governments an easy source to identify areas to target for environmental protection work.
“The sites that are identified have species or ecosystems that are known to occur there at levels that are of national or international importance,” said Ian Adams, Key Biodiversity Areas B.C. Coordinator.
“Land managers who are interested in conserving species of importance can look at this information and decide how to steward that land and water carefully so they can persist there.”
Adams says the frogs are often seen as indicators of environmental health, and the KBA designation shows how ecologically important these areas are.
“These areas are known to have northern leopard frogs and the much less known Rocky Mountain tailed frogs. Southeast B.C. is the only place in Canada where the Rocky Mountain tailed frog occurs, and it’s quite a remarkable little critter,” said Adams.
“We spend a lot of time and money on conservation projects of things like caribou, grizzly bears and even leopard frogs get a lot of interest. Other species from mosses, lichens and insects don’t get as much press but are at the same level of endangerment, or they only occur in certain places.”
According to KBA Canada, Rocky Mountain tailed frogs are an ancient species that diverged from other species over 200 million years ago and have since evolved independently.
“This species has an unusually long lifecycle, taking up to seven years to reach reproductive age, and is highly sensitive to changes in water quality, sedimentation, and climate,” said KBA Canada.
“Its presence serves as a strong indicator of healthy stream ecosystems.”
KBA Canada says northern leopard frogs were once widespread in B.C., but it has disappeared from most of its range.
“Today, it is found in only one known native population in Canada, making its protection a conservation priority,” said KBA Canada.
“This frog, famous for its dark, leopard-like spots and powerful jumps, relies on clean wetlands, seasonal water fluctuations, and connected habitat corridors to survive.”
The new KBAs join others on the Kootenays, such as Elder Creek, Creston Valley, Castle-Waterton-Akamina, Skookumchuck Prairie, and YaqÌ“it Ê”a·knuqⱡi’it – Tobacco Plains.
“This is all about raising information and awareness about species that require careful, mindful stewardship of species that are either rare or don’t occur in many other places in Canada,” said Adams.
“There are a fair number of them in the Kootenay region that we’re quite lucky to have.”
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