MidCoast residents are being asked to become involved in a citizen science project by using the FrogID app to help understand the impact of bushfires and drought on our fragile frog population during the Australian Museum's FrogID Week from November 6 to 15, 2020.
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The MidCoast region has been identified has one of the highest priority areas for collection of audio recordings after the worst drought in the area in recorded history, and last summer's bushfires, both of which impacted local frog populations.
Now in its third year, FrogID is designed to collect audio recordings of frog calls across the nation - at a moment in time - to monitor frog populations and help save Australia's threatened frog species.
See and hear some of the frogs found in our region: (photos and audio courtesy Australian Museum)
So far, FrogID has identified more than 240,000 frog calls and identified 199 of the known 241 Australian frog species. During FrogID Week last year, Australians recorded more than 5,400 frogs from 71 species.
FrogID Week aims to build on the critical data gathered over the past two years. This is a crucial year for FrogID Week, as the data collected will help scientists determine the impact of climate change, drought, and bushfires on the frog population.
Dr Jodi Rowley, lead scientist of FrogID and the curator of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum, has been using FrogID data from bushfire ravaged areas of south eastern Australia to assess the impact on frogs and their habitat and has been encouraged by these findings, as well as observations of frogs in burnt habitats.
"I was expecting the bushfires to have wiped out many frog populations, so I've been stunned by some of the positive signs I've seen recently," Dr Rowley said.
"In one bushfire affected rainforest stream, not too long after the fires, I was excited to hear the endangered Southern barred frog (Mixophyes balbus) calling along the stream. A few months later, I returned to find the same stream, still full of ash, full of their tadpoles.
"We have so much more to understand about these amazing animals, but we can only do this with help from people across Australia."
Dr Rowley said calls recorded to date by people all around the country are helping scientists better understand how to keep our frogs safe.
"We need the help of people all around the nation to gather audio of frogs in city parks, suburban backyards, regional properties, remote locations - everywhere!" Dr Rowley said.
We have so much more to understand about these amazing animals, but we can only do this with help from people across Australia.
- Dr Jodi Rowley
"This year, the data is absolutely vital in helping us understand how frogs adapt to climate change and weather patterns like drought and the bushfires we have experienced over the last year.
"Get outside, listen for frogs and send us their calls - it's simple to do and you'll be helping to save Australia's frogs."
In less than three years, FrogID has produced more than 30 per cent of all the frog records in Australia over the last 240 years - crucial information which helps scientists learn more about our frogs in order to protect them.
For more information on FrogID week and using the app, visit frogid.net.au.
