A growing concern for loss of global biodiversity at the genetic and species levels -through rapid declines in population numbers and increasing rates of species extinction - has inspired implementation of monitoring and other programs aimed at protecting, and in some cases rehabilitating, individual populations or species as well as entire communities and ecosystems. Whereas several northern populations of frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes, and turtles are likely to fluctuate naturally, some species seem to be rapidly declining as a result of accelerated human modification of their habitats.

Amphibians and reptiles are believed to be good indicators of ecosystem health. In addressing problems associated with biodiversity planning and management in Canada, research and monitoring efforts must examine the various environmental stresses and their impact on vulnerable species, especially those which are currently in danger of extirpation from Canada.

Herpetology refers to the study of amphibians and reptiles, and generally pertains to the analysis of extant or living species. According to Cook (1984), the Class Amphibia is represented by two orders in Canada, the Anura (frogs and toads) and the Caudata (salamanders and newts). These two groups of species represent separate lines of evolution whose history, or phylogeny, is distinct from that of reptiles. The Class Reptilia includes the Order Squamata, which comprises the Sub-Orders Lacertilia (lizards and skinks) and Serpentes (snakes), and the Order Testudines (turtles and tortoises). Not counting confirmed hybrid species, there are records for some 52 species and subspecies in Ontario alone (Figures 2-7). The known taxa and their phylogentic groupings are listed according to Cook's (1984) classification (Table 1). This list is based on Gartshore, (1987). Scientific names follow Collier (1990).

A combination of natural and human stresses is expected to affect populations of amphibians and reptiles in Ontario and so in Long Point, including climate change, increased ultraviolet radiation, flooding, and high rates of depredation by natural predators such as skunks and raccoons whose populations are kept artificially high by human garbage. Land use pressures such as accelerated residential and industrial development, agriculture, and recreation and tourist activities, have contributed either to the fragmentation of forests or the drainage of wetlands in southern Ontario, promoting the deterioration of valuable amphibian and reptile habitat. This is especially evident in coastal areas of the lower Great Lakes basin and is known to have occurred in the Long Point area. Road mortality is common among amphibians and reptiles and already is recognized as a problem on the Long Point Causeway.

Amphibians and reptiles in Ontario do not attain the large size of some of their relatives to the south, nor do they pose a serious threat to humans as they do in other parts of the world. They do not play much of a direct role in Ontario's economy. Bullfrogs and Snapping Turtles have been harvested, or regulated by OMNR - and this may still continue to some extent.

Logier (1952) put forward the economic value of amphibians in terms of human food or as food for animals useful to man. He cited their role as predators and as biological controls of agricultural pests. He also noted their use as scientific, medical, and educational specimens. Although they are largely undesirable to many residents living in rural areas, reptiles, especially snakes, are beneficial predators of unwanted domestic pests such as mice and rats. Species and subspecies may also be of general scientific interest owing to the fact that many local populations may be genetically unique and may provide scientific information about tolerance to particular climatic or habitat conditions (Cook, 1977).

The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has identified 14 species and subspecies of herpetofauna that are in danger of being eliminated from Canada. Seven of these designations, three amphibians and five reptiles, involve populations in Ontario that have declined or continue to decline in abundance and/or distribution (see Box 1).

Box 11.1 Status of Canadian Species (from Zammitt, 1994)