Jefferson Salamander - Amphibian Specialist Group

Recovery Strategy for the Jefferson Salamander in Ontario2.4 Performance MeasuresPerformance measures have been identified that will evaluate the success and progressof the recovery approaches set out in this strategy. These performance measures willalso indicate the extent to which the objectives have been met. They include:• population trends (increase/decrease) and confirmation of breeding activity;• quantification of new/extirpated populations;• consistent baseline information generated from the long-term control site;• the number and participation of stakeholders involved in related stewardship andmonitoring;• the number of locations for which identified threats have been reduced, mitigatedor eliminated;• the assessment of mitigation techniques (e.g., culverts, silt fencing, artificialrecharge);• increased knowledge of aquatic and terrestrial habitat (e.g., radio-telemetryresearch);• the number of municipalities that incorporate the habitat regulation and protectionpolicies into their official plans;• recommendations used to inform the habitat regulation process under the ESA2007;• identification of methods to study, assess and characterize the hydrology ofbreeding habitat.2.5 Area for Consideration in Developing a Habitat RegulationUnder the ESA 2007, a recovery strategy must include a recommendation to theMinister of Natural Resources on the area that should be considered in developing ahabitat regulation. A habitat regulation is a legal instrument that prescribes an area thatwill be protected as the habitat of the species. The recommendation provided below bythe author will be one of many sources considered by the Minister when developing thehabitat regulation for this species.The following is a description of the area that is recommended to be prescribed in theregulation as habitat for the Jefferson Salamander.Breeding HabitatAll wetlands or wetland features that provide suitable breeding conditions for theJefferson Salamander and jeffersonianum-dominated polyploids, such as vernal pools,woodland pools, deciduous swamps, spring-fed pools, groundwater-supportedwetlands, sloughs, old deepened or created ponds or ditches where breeding JeffersonSalamanders occur should be included within the habitat regulation.21