Breathing Through the Soil | Amphibians as Indicators of Ecosystem Health

I’ve been volunteering with Friends of Sausal Creek for a little over a year and have served as a student representative on the board of directors since December 2024. Most of my work takes place at the Bridgeview Trailhead and the Monterey Redwoods site, where I support restoration efforts to improve habitat for native species.

During one of my volunteer days, I came across a yellow-eyed ensatina: a small, terrestrial salamander with rust-colored skin and striking yellow eyes. This was my first time seeing one in person, and it served as a reminder of the often-overlooked wildlife that benefit from habitat restoration.

The yellow-eyed ensatina is native to California and lives in moist, shaded areas such as under logs, leaf litter, and rocks. Unlike many other animals, it does not have lungs; instead, it breathes through its skin and the lining of its mouth. This unique trait makes it especially sensitive to environmental changes, and a valuable indicator species for ecosystem health. Its presence reflects cool, moist, and undisturbed habitat, exactly the kind of environment we work to protect and restore.

Ensatinas also play a valuable ecological role. They help control populations of small invertebrates and serve as prey for birds and mammals, contributing to a balanced and functioning food web. When threatened, they use defensive tactics such as tail curling and secreting a sticky white substance to avoid predation.

Spending more time in the watershed and encountering animals like the ensatina has encouraged me to think more broadly about which species we prioritize in our restoration work. Many of our gardens focus on butterflies, moths, and bees, which are important. But I also want to advocate for the less visible species: the slimy, squirming creatures like slugs, earthworms, and amphibians, that are just as essential to ecosystem health. They help break down organic matter, cycle nutrients, and support life from the ground up.

If you’re creating or maintaining a native garden, consider dedicating a corner to support amphibians like frogs and salamanders. Leaving logs, rocks, and leaf litter in shaded areas, or placing a shallow ceramic water dish or basin with sloped sides, can create cool, damp microhabitats they need to survive. Even small features like these can make a difference in making our outdoor spaces more inclusive to the full range of native wildlife.

My experience with FOSC has deepened my understanding of the watershed and the biodiversity it supports. As we continue to restore native habitats, I believe the yellow-eyed ensatina, and species like it, should play a more visible role in how we measure success and plan for long-term ecological resilience.

—Laila Robinson, 12th grader at Oakland High School