Study reveals frog species most at risk from motor vehicles in southern Ontario

April 5, 2022

TRCA has been partnering with a University of Toronto student, Nicole Regimbal, to study the threat posed to local amphibians by GTA traffic.

Regimbal recently analyzed amphibian population and mortality data for 23 locations throughout the GTA using TRCA data. The sites were selected because each included a roadway and habitat that supported populations of amphibians.

She found that in two study areas in the Rouge River watershed north of Toronto, four of nine frog species had disproportionately higher mortality rates: the American Toad, Green Frog, Grey Treefrog and Northern Leopard Frog.

This research will support decisions about the construction of new eco-passages where they are most needed for wildlife to safely cross busy roads.

For more information on the project:

Read the University of Toronto blog article: https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/news/undergraduate-nicole-regimbals-study-reveals-frog-species-most-risk-motor-vehicles-southern

Watch the CityTV Toronto interview: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2022/04/01/university-of-toronto-trca-frogs-rouge-park/