Frogs in farmland: Ecology in changing agricultural landscapes

Abstract

Amphibians are globally threatened, with habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural activities, posing substantial threats to many species. This thesis investigates the role of farm dams as habitats for amphibians within agricultural landscapes. I focused on the habitat value of farm dams, adult frog distribution, reproductive dynamics, and landscape features. Despite growing interest in human-made habitats in agricultural landscapes, there has been no comprehensive review of the literature on farm dams as habitat. This leaves gaps in our understanding of their broader biodiversity implications, and their value as habitat - particularly for frogs. While farm dams have been known to provide habitat for frog species, management interventions to improve dams as habitat have not been explored. In particular, enhancing dams by excluding livestock and encouraging native vegetation growth, to support adult frog populations and improve reproductive output. Additionally, little is known about the temporal and spatial dynamics of frog populations across agricultural landscapes. By addressing these gaps, this thesis examines the habitat value of farm dams for frogs, specifically how enhancing farm dams may support frog populations and reproductive success when compared to control dams.