Climate change with its sizzling heat and damaging drought conditions is doing a real number on critically endangered frogs.

Aleesha Switzer, a biologist with the Fraser Valley Conservancy specializing in frogs, has been closely monitoring climate impacts across the Fraser Valley region.

And the news is not good.

鈥淭he past year was really challenging for frogs and salamanders,鈥� Switzer said.

Frogs can be a keystone species, or 鈥渢he canary in the coal mine鈥� in terms of indicating climate effects.

鈥淚鈥檓 worried about what the future holds for them.鈥�

The Oregon Spotted Frog recovery team conducted its annual spring counts of frog egg masses in Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Agassiz, and Harrison Mills.

鈥淭he numbers of egg masses laid by these frogs were low this year,鈥� Switzer reports. 鈥淲hile the numbers do fluctuate naturally, even in healthy populations, seeing declines is always nerve-wracking when you are dealing with a critically endangered species.鈥�

Smaller populations, at extreme risk of extirpation, also saw significantly fewer egg masses this year.

The Maria Slough OSF population in Agassiz saw 35 per cent fewer egg mass this year compared to the five-year average.

While the FVC reps can hope this is just a low year for the frogs, that they will bounce back again next year, the outlook is 鈥渂leak,鈥� Switzer warned.

The largest known population, referred to as Morris Valley near Harrison Mills, saw 20 per cent fewer egg masses laid this year than the five-year average.

鈥淭he number is just on the threshold of being high enough to keep it safe from extirpation, or localized extinction.鈥�

The exact cause is unknown.

鈥淲as the heat dome too intense for sensitive adults and juveniles in shallow wetland habitats? Did flooding events tear frogs away from home ranges, leaving them stranded or unable to find their mates?鈥� she asked.

But results of this year鈥檚 breeding surveys serve as a stark reminder that climate change impacts 鈥渁re very real鈥� and the consequences are dire.

鈥淲e need to take action, and we need it now,鈥� Switzer said.

The most significant impact comes from the sustained heat and drought.

Amphibians are wholly dependent on water as many start their lives as tadpoles in ponds. In a drought situation, tadpoles can perish if their pond dries up or overheats. As drought is often accompanied by intense heat, frogs and salamanders on land can overheat and desiccate, resulting in death.

鈥淲e need everyone to step up and help however they can.鈥�

Here are some from their website, and .

To get involved, check out their webpage for climate change information and nature-based solution tips.

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