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A study by NCF-India and BEAG found that agroforestry practices can be harmful to some species of endemic frogs, while others are less affected by modified habitats.
The study focused on the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, examining the impact of orchards, paddy fields, and unmodified habitats on amphibian diversity.
Study findings
The research showed that amphibian diversity was lowest in paddy fields, and frog abundance was the least in orchards.
Endemic species, such as the CEPF burrowing frog (Minervarya cepfi) and Goan Fejervarya (Minervarya gomantaki), were less abundant in modified habitats, indicating agroforestry negatively affects these vulnerable species.
Some more generalist frog species, like Minervarya sahyadrensis, were found to thrive in paddy fields, indicating shifts in species composition due to habitat changes.
However, it’s unclear if these species are truly adapting to these habitats or just spreading into them over time.
The study emphasizes that the conversion of the lateritic plateaus (rich in endemic biodiversity) into orchards and paddy fields reduces crucial habitats for frogs, such as rock pools.
These plateaus, need conservation efforts to preserve freshwater resources for the long-term health of ecosystems.
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