Relació entre les comunitats d’amfibis amb els factors locals: meteorològics i característiques de les basses

Abstract

In response to growing concern about the global decline of amphibians, interest in their study is increasing as a way to contribute to their conservation at global, regional, and local scales. This study analyses how amphibian communities vary in relation to meteorological and local conditions, specifically monthly accumulated precipitation, average monthly temperature, and pond characteristics. Between March and May 2025, three areas in the province of Girona (Can Morgat, Sant Daniel, and Riudarenes) were studied. Species richness, diversity, and community composition, as well as reproductive activity, were assessed in each area. Temporal patterns were also identified in several amphibian species. Each site was surveyed using the methodology of the SACC (“Seguiment d’Amfibis Comuns de Catalunya”) project, conducting periodic nocturnal censuses to detect the abundance of calling males and visual observations at each water point. These were complemented by a monthly daytime sampling campaign in each pond to locate egg clutches, larvae (including identification of developmental stages), and adults. The climatic conditions during the study did not appear to be the main factors explaining the changes in richness, diversity, or community composition. However, they were linked to activity patterns in certain species: such as the Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita), associated with rainfall; the Parsley frog (Pelodytes punctatus), active in late winter and March alongside rain events; and the Iberian green frog or Graf’s hybrid frog (Pelophylax sp.), observed after rising temperatures in April. Higher species richness was not always associated with greater reproductive activity. In fact, the ponds at Can Morgat showed particularly low reproductive activity in terms of larval richness and density, likely due to the high density of invasive predators such as the red swamp crayfish and mosquitofish. Larvae of the exotic species Discoglossus pictus (Mediterranean painted frog) were dominant in all the ponds in this area. Finally, the data gathered through this monitoring effort contributed to the SACC project, enhancing the understanding of amphibian population trends and thereby supporting the conservation of this group

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