Counting the Days for the Arroyo Toad

Interesting story but as the author points out, seemingly full of conflicting messages. For one, the Zaca Fire had nothing to do with Piru Creek, which is in the area of the Day Fire which was a year prior. To make it more scientifically valid for me though, I would appreciate some links to actual scientific research besides the Fish & Wildlife's where I could read who is doing what research where and what they are actually finding out. In the meantime, what is the scientific credibility of "Forest Watch", where is their research to back up their claims? I couldn't find it on their website. I'm just a bit tired of well intentioned environmental groups not presenting their data for all to see, as they themselves ask of government entities. I'm also having a hard time visualizing a bulldozer spending much time in a riparian habitat like a stream system which is essentially less prone to the damaging effects of fire that say up on ridgelines of chaparral where they actually construct fire breaks. Just show us the evidence and cut out the "he said she said stuff", it might help (or hurt) the cause. As for us Santa Barbarans, I for one am sure glad the Zaca Fire did not jump the Santa Ynez River and continue its destructive path towards our city. Did some toad population get bumped for any of those fire suppression efforts? Oh well, survival of the fittest once again. Lastly, bulldozer work in creek beds is nothing compared to what Mother Nature routinely dishes out during winter storm events!

If the slimy little monster can't make it on its own....bye bye

This is called Evolution.

Nope, it's called ecocide.

To be evolution, it would have to be left on its own without interference by man.

"Mother Nature routinely dishes out during winter storm events!" - so why has the toad been able to survive mother nature for centuries? Logical fallacy.

Just show us the data & provide more links to the research. How about some pictures of damaged creek bed crossings? Is there a before and after population count on a specific creek? How about a map to see where you're talking about? Ecocide... a neologism or newly coined word in the process of evolving into common usage. Hadn't heard of that one yet. Unfortunately humans, as well as many other species throughout evolutionary time, have always been destroying environments. Obviously we're too good at it. So you're saying the interference of mankind is not a part of evolution? Hmmm... we seem to have these "behavioral traits" that make us a dominating species, whether for good or bad. But back to the story, support it with better background info please.

The Zaca Fire had nothing to do with Piru Creek. The article misquotes the ForestWatch website. Here is the relevant excerpt from the ForestWatch website:

"Unfortunately, recent wildfire suppression efforts on the Los Padres have significantly degraded some of the best remaining arroyo toad habitat, particularly in Mono Creek, the Sisquoc River, and Piru Creek where bulldozers cleared large areas of land. Some estimates place the arroyo toad mortality at as much as 50%, the heavy equipment crushing many toads in their burrows."
http://www.lpfw.org/about/critters/ar...

Damage to habitat in Piru Creek occurred during suppression efforts for the 2006 Day Fire. Arroyo toads in Mono Creek were affected during suppression of the 2007 Zaca Fire, as documented in a recent USFWS status review:

Fire suppression activities may pose a threat to the arroyo toad in some cases. For example, in response to the 2007 Zaca Fire, a number of broad fuelbreaks and safety zones were bulldozed in several areas, including the lower portions of Mono and Indian Creeks (Sweet 2007a). Based on research along Mono and Indian Creeks prior to the fire (Sweet 1992, 1993), juvenile and adult arroyo toads were known to make extensive use of the stream terraces where several of the fuelbreaks and safety zones were constructed and that in August/ September of 2007 when construction occurred a large proportion of the population would be within burrows on the terraces (Sweet 2007a). Therefore, any toads that were in burrows were very likely killed by the bulldozing. In addition to causing direct mortality, Sweet (2007a; 2007b) reported that the bulldozing operations severely degraded essential upland habitat by removing shade and the opportunity for toads to select microclimates based on soil temperature, moisture content and ground cover. The bulldozing also created substantial barriers to toad movement through the placement of large piles of woody debris between the creek bed and the terraces and formed ideal conditions for the terraces to become invaded by non-native weeds, in particular yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis) (toads are unable to inhabit terraces where yellow star thistle is well-established (Sweet 2007a)).
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/five_year_re...

This episode was well documented by U.S. Forest Service biologists as well as field studies and research conducted afterwards by an independent arroyo toad expert, as well as by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The issue is not whether to suppress or not to suppress wildfires when they are threatening our communities. The real issue is, what actions can be taken to lessen the impact of wildfire suppression on threatened and endangered species. We can still fight fires and protect arroyo toad habitat, it's not an either-or scenario.

I blame the toad for not pushing back to tip over the bulldozer.

Thank you, "123abc."

We needed an ignorant of basic science perspective to round out this comment section.

Your best and most revealing line is: "At this time HUMANS are the most evolved animal on the planet i am sorry but thats the reality..."

Which pinpoints your precise location.

I guess that is why people go to third world countries to see what is left of wildlife, often in pristine states - totally gone from this continent.

The EDC offices should be bulldozed to create new toad habitat!

Thanks for more info "ForestWatch". I bet there is a way to lessen the impacts of fire suppression, is there someone doing current research? FYI the winter rains after the Zaca Fire silted in a lot of the Mono Creek area around the currently-closed to vehicle traffic campground. But now we have to consider the price tag = ouch! Kind of reminds me of the condor recovery program...

And to Tabatha— you ought to get out and hike more often back into some real wilderness right here in our own backyard. Go up Indian Creek, tackle the Mono, and on your way go west and throw in a Sisquoc Loop. Then you will see that all is well back where it counts, far away from human impact. You sound like you need a reality check... real wilderness is closer than you think. And it's a lot cheaper than going to a third world country, but you have to use your own 2 legs to get there.

123abc is a living breathing example (I am assuming this is a human)
of why I think anonymous comments should not be printed.

I am not in charge; so they are! If he/she had the courage to print his/her name; maybe we would hear something worth hearing.

I am sure those bulldozers; not to mention the chemicals used to suppress the fire; have contributed to massive loss of habitat for the arroyo toad.

Let me say: maybe some people don't think saving the arroyo toad is important.

Every animal in the chain is important. We are fouling our own nest. This is one of the many " canaries" in the coal mine.

Forget "natural selection"! That was when nature was natural. Species evolved. Before humans reached the "fouling our nest" DERBY!!!!!!! We have no time for that!

WE will be extinct! And the arrogant disregard of the "Arroyo toad" is just one example.
How can I reach Dr.Sweet?

I have a pond. And I am next to a 44 acre nature preserve with a creek running through it! I am a "certified National Wildlife Federation backyard habitat" . I have an adjacent neighbor who has 45 acres. All together we have 90 plus acres. with a creek and 3 ponds. Could we help? We use no pesticides, herbicides.......no disturbances....perhaps the introduction of these toads would be possible!!

I volunteer!

I beg to differ with you penelopebianchi, regarding the value of anonymous commenting.

In the real world, you would never get to hear from both the types AND the archetypes within our society.

Don't ignore the (hyper-) truth, baby!

Rstein9,

What a revolting thought process you have.

Uneducated as well. Toads aren't slimy.

Google "Sam Sweet UCSB". Your offer of help sounds wonderful.

My sincere apologies to ForestWatch for misquoting your organization, I interviewed various sources who connected arroyo toad data to the Zaca fire - and I really should have put checked my sources. ForestWatch is a tremendous resource for issues like this in our watershed, and the last thing I want to do is associate any incorrect information to their name.

Sarah Amiri

My sincere apologies to ForestWatch for misquoting your organization. I interviewed various sources who connected arroyo toad data to the Zaca fire - and I really should have triple checked that information. ForestWatch is a tremendous resource for issues like this in our watershed, and the last thing I want to do is associate any incorrect information to their name.

Sarah Amiri

The next breakthrough pharmaceutical drug could come from a toad like the Arroyo.

Dare we hope for a cure for stupidity?

Location location location. Money money money. Show us the data, show us the evidence. "If a picture is worth a thousand words..."