Small variations in breeding pools make for big differences in Yosemite toad use

The Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus) is a rare species found exclusively in California’s Sierra Nevada. While its range encompasses hundreds of miles, spanning five national forests and two national parks, the livelihood and future survival of this federally threatened species may come down to mere centimeters. Pools within alpine meadows to be suitable habitat for laying eggs and sustaining tadpoles, little things mean a lot.