The status of herpetology in Australia

Lunney, Daniel; Ayers, Danielle

doi:10.7882/rzsnsw.1993.066

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…In summarising a 400-page synthesis of herpetology in Australia, Lunney and Ayers (1993) stated that herpetologists had contributed little to the general debate on conserving biodiversity. They argued that, as a result, frogs would not receive adequate attention in decisions about new national parks, the impacts of development, or the allocation of conservation-orientated research funds.…”

Section: Geneticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frog ecology in modified Australian landscapes: a review

Hazell¹

2003

Wildl. Res.

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Frog decline in Australia has often occurred where habitat is relatively intact. Habitat alteration and loss do, however, threaten many species. Widespread degradation of aquatic and terrestrial systems has occurred since European settlement, with only 6.4% of Australia's landmass reserved for conservation. But what do we know about how frogs use modified Australian landscapes? Do wildlife managers have the information required to ensure that frog habitat is considered in the management and revegetation of these areas? This review examines published Australian research on frogs to determine knowledge on processes of habitat loss and degradation. Literature that informs landscape restoration and revegetation is also examined to determine whether the habitat needs of frogs are considered. While many threats associated with frog habitat loss and change have been identified there is little quantitative information on frog–habitat relationships in modified landscapes, habitat fragmentation or knowledge of the connectivity required between terrestrial and aquatic frog habitat. Without this information frogs have largely been ignored in efforts to revegetate and manage for the conservation of Australian biota outside reserves. Ecological frog research in modified landscapes is required to avoid land-management decisions and conservation strategies based on inappropriate assumptions of how biota respond to landscape change.

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Section: Geneticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frog ecology in modified Australian landscapes: a review

Hazell¹

2003

Wildl. Res.

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“…dependence on standing or flowing water for reproduction). Lack of research activity may lead to the taxon being given a low profile in conservation planning (Lunney & Ayers, 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of anuran amphibians in massively altered landscapes in south‐eastern Australia: effects of climate change in an aridifying region

Nally¹,

Horrocks

Lada

et al. 2009

Global Ecology and Biogeography

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AimWe explored whether the anuran amphibian faunas differed among landscapes that are relatively intact (largely covered in forests and woodlands) and others that are completely converted to agriculture. We also used historical data sets to assess the current condition of the anuran fauna in a region predicted to experience, and experiencing, severe drying and warming. Methods Sites were repeatedly surveyed in the austral winter-spring breeding seasons of 2006 and 2007, with records collected of numbers of calling males and the presence of egg masses and tadpoles. We characterized the sites using static (e.g. dimensions, surrounding physiognomic characteristics such as tree cover) and labile (e.g. pH, dissolved oxygen) variables. Data were analysed using hierarchical Bayesian models. LocationResults For calling males, landscape type did not affect densities or species richness measures. The availability of a grassy verge around water bodies was an important predictor for most species, but other labile and static variables seemed not to be important. Fewer than half of the species historically known from the region were recorded. There were no important predictors of occurrence of egg masses or tadpoles. Reproduction effectively may have failed over the period, with fewer than one in four sites showing evidence of egg masses or tadpoles.Main conclusions The proportion of sites at which some well-studied species (e.g. Crinia signifera , Limnodynastes dumerilii ) were recorded has dropped substantially since the 1970s, as have average densities of calling males of Crinia spp. The remnant anuran fauna appears to be dominated by resilient and hardy species with low current diversity. The on-going (12 + years) drought in these landscapes suggests a bleak long-term prognosis for the few remaining species of anuran amphibians.

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The status of herpetology in Australia

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Frog ecology in modified Australian landscapes: a review

Frog ecology in modified Australian landscapes: a review

Distribution of anuran amphibians in massively altered landscapes in south‐eastern Australia: effects of climate change in an aridifying region

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