As part of the broader ACT and NSW FrogWatch program, the National Arboretum Canberra is monitoring frog biodiversity in four wetlands at the Arboretum site:
- Cork oak dam (Forest 2) estimated to have been built between 1961 and 1973,
- STEP ephemeral wetland (Forest 20),
- Ginkgo Dam (Forest 21) and
- Larch Dam (Forest 36).
Since 2010, the project has been examining long term changes in the frog biota of the Arboretum, and the impact they will have on the frog fauna. The project focuses on larger scale environmental responses, as well as habitat changes at the local landscape.
Findings are regularly reported to the ACT FrogWatch Census on the Ginninderra Catchment Group's website.
Research investigators: Dr Roger Hnatiuk, (Chief investigator), Member of the Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra and FrogWatch ACT volunteer.
Citizen science volunteers who are members of the Friends of the National Arboretum.
Purpose of project
- Document the frog fauna of the National Arboretum Canberra as part of the larger ACT program to monitor the frogs of the ACT and surrounding NSW.
- Contribute to the understanding of the biodiversity, including the frog fauna of the National Arboretum Canberra.
- Examine how the frog biota at the Arboretum may be affected by, and respond to, a number of major forces that shape the plants, animals and other biota on the site.
Methods
- Standard methods used by FrogWatch ACT, including audio recording of male frogs to estimate numbers (based on differences in their calls).
- Recordings are made approximately quarterly, with extra observations as needed.