SPECIES BIODIVERSITY AND CONCORDANCE OF FROGS IN A SWAMP FOREST

Frogs are one of the good environmental indicators of habitat quality in ecosystems due to their amphibious life modes and sensitivity to environmental change caused by rapid expansions of anthropogenic activities. Thus, understanding their biodiversity is crucial for the development of conservation strategies. This book evaluates biodiversity, distribution, and concordance of frogs in a swamp forest area both during the dry and the wet season, by employing standard sampling techniques for anurans among 3-habitat types: farmland, intermediate, & forest. 1649 individuals (21 species, 9 families, & 9 genera) were recorded. There was high species biodiversity in the forest habitat compared to other habitats. A significant difference in diversity and abundance between habitats in the wet season was observed, but no significant difference during dry season. Habitat type and season had no influence on richness. Most anurans encountered favored insects and frogs in their diet, occupied terrestrial & aquatic microhabitats. Differences in frog biodiversity and distribution in the 3-habitats demonstrate that conservation efforts continue conservation efforts continue to be a priority.