Robert Fire Montana Tailed Frog Data 2001-2015

The data represent counts of Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog larvae from 8 streams in Glacier National Park, Montana. Each stream was surveyed during 5 different years. We originally sampled the eight streams during June 2001 to evaluate a time-constrained method for potential inclusion in a monitoring program. We sampled streams by turning rocks and disturbing the substrate in front of D-frame nets for 250 min, with surveyors moving progressing upstream. Surveyors focused on areas of optimal habitat (e.g., turbulent water, coarse substrates) to increase the likelihood of capturing larvae. Two surveyors sampled simultaneously for 5-min each (making one 10-min period) and called out captures to a data recorder. Surveyors alternated roles every five sampling periods. We excluded juveniles and adults from analyses because they use stream and forest habitats and are not sampled efficiently. After the 2003 fire burned four of the watersheds, we resurveyed the eight streams during 2004 and 2005 to evaluate the near-term effects of wildfire and again in 2014 and 2015 to evaluate population recovery. We used the same sampling methods and approximate starting point in each stream, each year. All surveys were conducted after the peak of runoff.