The status of decline and conservation of frogs in the arid and semi-arid zones of Australia

A relatively diverse array of frogs live in the Australian arid and semi-arid zones (ASA) and, despite low and irregular rainfall and few permanent watercourses, in some areas they may be the most abundant vertebrate taxon (Morton et al. 1993; Predavec and Dickman 1993; Read 1999). Conservation-focused studies or monitoring programs are limited for ASA frogs and only two species are considered threatened. An accurate assessment of population status for all frogs in the ASA is lacking, however, hampered by absence of long-term data on population trends, knowledge of current distributional extent,taxonomic uncertainty, and knowledge of the interaction between species and threatening processes. This chapter takes a broad approach to assessing the status and conservation of frogs in ASA areas by identifying the species that inhabit these regions and their life-history strategies and adaptations, detailing the threats that occur in the ASA, and indicating which species may be impacted because of their exposure and potential susceptibility.