Breeding phenology and landscape use in all amphibian species from the Republic of Korea based on open-source data

Abstract

Biodiversity is declining worldwide with habitat loss and climate change being among the main threats. While it is easy to quantify habitat loss, the impacts of climate change are less obvious. It is therefore important to understand species habitat use and breeding phenology before a significant shift results in the loss of knowledge. Here, we determined the habitat use and breeding phenology for all Korean amphibian species based on citizen science (8,763 observations), collected between 1997–2020. We found the breeding seasons as we defined them to be generally shorter than described in the literature despite large variations between species. Species were further dichotomised into early and late breeders with breeding periods peaking in mid-March and mid-June respectively. We found early breeding species to have a shortened hibernating period with only six days being consistently devoid of observations over the 23 years of the period studied for the species with the shortest inactive season. Habitat use was significantly different between all species, with pair-wise comparisons highlighting greater differences among rather than within genera, highlighting the threats to species across all genera. In addition, our results set a baseline for future analyses about climate change and habitat use.

Understanding the Distribution, Behavioural Ecology, and Conservation Status of Asian Pelophylax

“…Male P. n. "reinhardtii" start calling from April in southern regions of the lineage's range in China and R Korea, early to mid-May in R Korea, and June in the Russian Federation (hereafter Russia), although the species can be heard until July in R Korea [49]. The onset of spawning for this species is prompted by high temperatures and increased relative humidity levels [50].…”

“…The severity of threats to the lineage varies by region: in some areas, such as the agricultural wetlands of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (hereafter DPR Korea), the lineage remains stable owing to suitable habitat conditions [52]. In R Korea and China, the lineage is not considered threatened, owing to its large population sizes and ability to withstand minor environmental changes [49]. Populations restricted to agricultural wetlands are impacted by agrochemical pollution, in terms of both tadpole development and loss of fitness [56] and gonadal development and feminisation of the population [57].…”

“…rea and China, the lineage is not considered threatened, owing to its large population sizes and ability to withstand minor environmental changes [49]. Populations restricted to agricultural wetlands are impacted by agrochemical pollution, in terms of both tadpole development and loss of fitness [56] and gonadal development and feminisation of the population [57].…”

“…in R Korea, with a mean elevation of about 200 m [80]. The breeding season of the species starts in May, with males calling from water bodies until late July if the water does not dry out [49]. Individuals of the species have a relatively small home range [81].…”

“…Individuals of the species have a relatively small home range [81]. They do not migrate away from the wetlands for overwintering, and they can be active until mid-December on warm days, but they are the latest amphibians to emerge from hibernation in R Korea between late March and early April [49]. Females lay a single egg mass, and tadpole development is around six weeks long.…”