Leaping into action for frogs

More help is on its way for the critically endangered Kuranda tree frog.

Community organisation Kuranda Envirocare is launching a new project, surveying more creeks and training extra volunteers thanks to a recently announced Engaging Science Grant from the Queensland Government.

The new initiatives come on the tenth anniversary of the organisation’s ‘Frog-Friendly Waterways’ citizen science program, and at a time when the Kuranda tree frog is facing ongoing threats from urbanisation and related changes to creek hydrology.

Monitoring with acoustic recorders

Project coordinator Edward Bell said acoustic recorders would be used to bring more creeks into the monitoring program.

“These will enable us to survey larger and more remote areas, ensuring we have the best available information on where the Kuranda tree frog is surviving,’’ he said.

About the Kuranda tree frog

The Kuranda tree frog, or Litoria myola, is only known to live in a handful of creeks that flow into the Barron River. Discovered in 2007, its biggest threats are habitat clearing along creek lines and hydrological disturbances to creek beds.

Kuranda Envirocare president Cathy Retter said volunteers had been regularly monitoring frog populations for nine years with researchers from James Cook University, and also working with landholders to revegetate creek lines in key areas for the species.

Revegetation work

“More than five kilometres of creek and riverbanks have been successfully revegetated, and this will continue into the future,’’ she said.

“With our new project, we are looking forward to working with more volunteers and training them in the use of detectors and water quality monitoring equipment, and in analysis of acoustic data.”