Study flags threat to frogs from agroforestry Premium

Agroforestry impacts on endemic frogs in Western Ghats, urging conservation efforts for vulnerable species in modified habitats.

Agroforestry practices may be harmful to some species of endemic frogs while a few are less affected by modified habitats, a new study by researchers from the Mysuru-based Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF-India) and the Bombay Environmental Action Group (BEAG) said.

The findings by Vijayan Jithin and Rohit Naniwadekar of the NCF and Manali Rane and Aparna Watve of the BEAG were published in Ecological Applications, a journal of the Ecological Society of America.

They studied the amphibian diversity and abundance in the low-elevation lateritic plateau of Maharashtra’s northern Western Ghats across orchards, paddy fields, and unmodified stretches during the monsoon season between June and September 2022. Four geographically separated plateaus – Devi Hasol, Devache Gothane, Gaonkhadi, and Bakale – were sampled to capture the spatial variability.

The research team found amphibian diversity was lowest in paddy and abundance was the least in orchards compared to the relatively undisturbed plateaus. Endemic species, including the CEPF burrowing frog (Minervarya cepfi) and Goan fejervarya (Minervarya gomantaki) were less abundant in modified habitats, indicating that agroforestry practices may be particularly detrimental to these vulnerable amphibians.

“The conversion of plateaus into agricultural lands is a significant threat to these habitats and the species they support,” Mr Jithin, the lead author of the study said.

“Given the expansion of orchards, we recommend adapting agroforestry practices to be more frog-friendly. Retaining natural water bodies and adding water sources in orchards, combined with sensitisation and incentives for landowners, could help mitigate habitat loss,” he said.

On the other hand, species such as the Minervarya syhadrensis commonly found across South Asia, were more prevalent in paddy fields, suggesting shifts in community composition due to habitat changes.