Frogs and Toads as Indicators of Ecological Health

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to investigate the causes of decline in frogs and toads population in the environment using systematic literature review methodology. The specific objectives of the study were: to determine the importance of amphibians in the environment, to establish the causes of the decline of amphibians and to suggest strategies that can be put in place to control their decline. Methodology: The systematic literature review methodology was adopted. By combining the literature overview with expert opinion, the researcher was able to crosscheck conclusions from different sources to search for general trends and regularities. Findings: Their decline can be attributed to   presence of toxic chemicals (pesticides, accaricides, termicides, fertilizers), too much heat reaching them, or destruction of their habitat, capital development projects that lower water table and environmental conditions, birds, mammals and reptiles that prey on their eggs, habitat loss, diseases like red leg syndrome, harvesting   for a variety of reasons, climate change and global warming, and invasive species. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Suggested strategies for reducing decline are: .using environmentally friendly chemicals and only when very necessary otherwise, organic chemicals should be recommended, restoration of habitats, combating climate change and global warming, reducing water run-off and preventing rubbish, silt and garden waste from getting into storm water drains, constructing and maintaining sediment traps near waterways, especially when disturbing surface vegetation cover, keeping a wide belt of vegetation around water bodies as a buffer zone for contaminants and to control erosion a voiding wearing insect repellents and other lotions if you go swimming in areas where frogs live, no drainage of wetlands, no collection of  bush rock, no burning of  patches of bush which frogs shelter in and no reduction in  the quality of wildlife corridors, which connect areas of frog habitat and proper rules and regulations on the use of wetlands, swampy areas, shorelines and river rines.