By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Aug. 10: Road expansion is taking a toll on Kathmandu’s frogs, as suggested by a recent article published in the Global Ecology and Conservation Journal.
The study, which looked at the influence of soil moisture and roads on the occurrence of frogs in Kathmandu Valley, found that construction and expansion of infrastructures like roads lead to the modification and destruction of wetlands. This, in turn, brings about a loss of habitat for amphibians like frogs and directly impacts their population.
Additionally, roads also increase pollution in the form of drains and runoff, further making an area uninhabitable for amphibian species. Traffic noises also keep them away.
It further suggests that rapid urbanisation, caused by the influx of people to the valley, has caused an expansion in concrete surfaces which alters the dampness of the local soil. This, once again, affects the population distribution of frogs.
In order to conserve amphibian biodiversity, the study stresses the need to conserve ponds and seepages, focus conservation research on threats and integrate conservation concerns in the design and building of infrastructures.
The research was conducted by a team of researchers from Environment Protection and Study Centre (ENPROSC), Companions for Amphibians and Reptiles of Nepal (CARON), Resources Himalaya Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN), Central Department of Environmental Science of Tribhuvan University, South China Agricultural University and the environmental science departments of GoldenGate International College, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Amrit Science Campus and Patan Multiple Campus.