Endangerment Status

The Pine Barrens Treefrog is considered an endangered species for several reasons. The first is their limited population. The PBTF is only found in three areas of the world: The Jersey Pinelands, North and South Carolina, and the Alabama Florida border. The IUCN species survival commission is unsure of the total population of the Pine Barrens Treefrog. At the same time, they believe the population is currently stable, but will begin to decrease slowly over time. In New Jersey, the PBTF's habitat is well protected by the state. Because the pineland area has a thin, sandy soil, it adheres to the affects of outside development. Urban runoff from building and development outside the pinelands is slowly changing the composition of the water and soil of the pinelands. Forest fires in the Carolinas and Alabama has also affected the plant population that is part of the Pine Barren's diet. Another aspect of habitat destruction is occuring all along wetlands on the east coast. Many Pine Barren Treefrogs live in small, acidic bogs, swamps, and streams. These streams are drying up which results in habitat loss for the species. Overall, habitat destruction is the main issue that have made Pine Barren Treefrogs endangered.