Agroforestry's Impact to Endemic Frogs | 09 Dec 2024

Source: TH 

A recent study by the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF-India) and the Bombay Environmental Action Group (BEAG) assessed the impact of agroforestry on endemic frog species in the northern Western Ghats.  

  • Findings of the Study: Amphibian  diversity was lowest in paddy fields; abundance was least in orchards compared to undisturbed plateaus. 
    • Endemic species like CEPF burrowing frog (Minervarya cepfi) and Goan fejervarya (Minervarya gomantaki) were less abundant in modified habitats. 
    • Generalist species like Minervarya syhadrensis were more common in paddy fields indicating habitat-driven shifts. 
  • Western Ghats: Western Ghats, made up of lateritic plateaus (flat-topped landscapes rich in iron and aluminum) were formed millions of years ago through volcanic activity. 
    • It is a biodiversity hotspot and home to around 252 amphibian species, including 226 frogs.  
    • However, globally, 40.7% of amphibian species (8,011 species) are threatened due to habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and diseases like chytridiomycosis.

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