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Amphibians in the spotlight

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Life beneath our feet: Our wetlands are more than just beautiful landscapes; they’re home to sensitive salamander species in need of protection. Let’s advocate for their survival! Credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service
Life beneath our feet: Our wetlands are more than just beautiful landscapes; they’re home to sensitive salamander species in need of protection. Let’s advocate for their survival! Credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service

At our fall semi-annual meeting, Neha Savant, wildlife and fisheries ecologist with the Natural Resources Group of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, spoke on the variety of the amphibians, specifically salamanders, in New York City, and the urban impacts affecting their ability to sustain robust populations. The Natural Resources Group (NRG) began recording wildlife sightings in 1984, but intensive amphibian inventories began in 1993, a high point being in 2007 with a comprehensive salamander study.


Ms. Savant commented on the dedicated work of Ellen Pehek in tracking Staten Island amphibian populations while Pehek was with the NRG. The NRG is continuing the work that Pehek focused on and published in 2015 in the journal Cities and the Environment (CATE), and hopes to build on her findings.


Generally, the following amphibians, including salamanders, are found in New York City:


  • Green frog

  • Atlantic Coast leopard frog

  • Eastern new green toad

  • Gray tree frog

  • American toad

  • Spotted salamander

  • Eastern red-backed salamander

  • Northern two-lined salamander

  • Northern dusky salamander

  • Northern red salamander

  • Eastern newt


Unfortunately, salamander species are not currently protected, according to Ms. Savant, so protection is mainly tied to wetlands regulations and wetland management. In consideration of mitigating some of these pressures, the NRG is working to advocate for strong New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) freshwater wetland regulations; sharing stories of sensitive salamander species with communities and agencies; and advancing the idea of incorporating salamander-friendly designs when restoring landscapes.


Wetlands face impacts from trash, habitat fragmentation, excess nutrients through fertilizer runoff, and the effects of climate change. Ms. Savant mentioned that proposed amended NYS DEC regulations, rolling out in 2025, will include a shift in agency oversight for wetlands of 7.2 acres from the current 12.4 acres. Additionally, urban wetlands will be regulated as wetlands of unusual importance, and the DEC will now regulate vernal pools. Wood frogs and spotted salamanders benefit from vernal pool habitats.


NYC Parks is conducting a citywide freshwater wetland assessment with the aim to protect parks with freshwater wetlands with high ecological value at the greatest risk. Furthermore, NYC Parks is working to identify wetlands that meet certain criteria for recommendation for the creation of a Bluebelt. NYC Parks continues to engage with the broader community surrounding parks to advocate for salamander conservation. For instance, the agency holds “celebrate salamanders” events to raise awareness, connect and meet neighbors with shared interests, and recruit volunteers interested in maintaining salamander habitat. A field guide was created called “Woodland Salamanders of New York City” that highlights the variety and habitats of salamanders found in the five boroughs.


Videos on amphibians of Staten Island




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