No sound of swamp frogs in 2024

Observation by Brenda Nowatak:

We usually hear the frogs every summer. During the summer of 2024, there were no frogs at all. What happened to them?

LEO Network Says:

Thank you Brenda for your observation. We have shared with the staff at the Museum of the North at UAF, and with some friends in the northern amphibian research community. We also welcome comments from LEO Network members on the topic. We have attached seven prior observations about wood frogs, mostly related to abundance or seasonal change. This is the first observation we have about absence of frogs, as measured by frog calls. Certainly a concerning account. Readers please note, we have not received a specific date for this observation. The date applied was based on an estimate of when wood frogs are generally active in Southcentral Alaska. We are hoping to receive more specific information on the observation and will update as new information comes in. The focus of the observation however, is not on the timing of the frog calls, but rather on the total absence. You can listen to a wood frog call in the attached video. We have also run an AI analysis on a selection of eleven posts going back as far as 2001. You can read the analysis below. M. Brubaker

AI Comment from (Ver. Gemini 2.0 Flash):

Brenda's observation from Kokhanok highlights a concerning absence of frog sounds in 2024, which contrasts with earlier reports of robust frog populations. For example, in 2017 and 2020, observers in Fairbanks and Glennallen noted abundant wood frog activity. However, more recent posts show conflicting trends, with a 2023 report from Ely, Minnesota, noting a significant decline in frog and bird songs, while an Anchorage report from 2024 indicated a return of wood frog songs. These inconsistencies, paired with long-term research outlined in posts like "Warmer Climate Linked To Earlier Frog Calling," suggest that local and regional environmental factors like temperature and precipitation patterns might be impacting amphibian populations differently across Alaska. Additionally, posts about deformed frogs and the chytrid fungus underscore the threat of disease and environmental stressors on these vulnerable populations.

It's worth noting that amphibian populations often experience natural fluctuations from year to year. However, a complete absence of frog sounds, as reported in Kokhanok, could signal a more significant issue. One factor that could be at play is a decline in insect populations, which serve as a primary food source for frogs. A recent article in The Atlantic discusses how scientists are observing declines in insect numbers across the globe.[https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2024/02/insect-apocalypse-demise-entomologists/677322/] If insect populations have declined in the Kokhanok area, this could have a direct impact on the frog population. Continuous monitoring will be important in this location.