IS YOUR GARDEN IMPORTANT FOR FROG AND TOAD CONSERVATION?
EDITOR – Here in ‘Life Sciences’ at UKZN, we are undertaking studies on the role of residential, suburban areas in nature conservation. Owing to the loss and disturbance of natural habitat or its invasion by alien plant species, many animals are trying to survive in semi-natural, partially disturbed areas particularly along river lines, such as designated Durban Metropolitan Open Space (DMOSS) ecological corridors. Our particular interest is in the amphibians; a group often neglected in conservation in favour or birds and plants. They are particularly good indicators of the ecological health of riverine habitat.
We have found that there are quite diverse and interesting frog and toad communities in DMOSS areas and adjacent gardens. Last year we found a number of species such as the painted reed frog, clicking stream frog, forest tree frog, bush squeaker and, the aptly named, guttural toad! These were identified from their calls in the Waterfall and Kloof areas in September and October.
This year we are attempting to determine how successfully these species are finding breeding sites for egg-laying in ornamental ponds and disused swimming pools in people’s gardens. We would greatly value your help in this regard. Our particular interest is in the Molweni River catchment between Springside Nature Reserve in Hillcrest and Kranzkloof Nature Reserve in Kloof i.e. Hillcrest, Gillitts, Everton, Kloof, Forest Hills and Waterfall.
If you have amphibians regularly using your garden water features for calling, mating and egg-laying, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Dr Paul Joslin at joslinp@ukzn.ac.za or 031 7651152 (you can leave a message). Thank you.
Dr Paul Joslin
Life Sciences
UKZN
