Research Questions/Objectives:
Brief Description of the Project:
Data for environmental variables will be downloaded from WEBSITE. These will include minimum temperature, daily rainfall totals in addition to 3-day and 5 day totals, humidity, wind speed, and moon illumination (from WEBSITE). These variables have been shown to be relevant to calling patterns in other Australian amphibians (e.g., Brodie et al. 2021). I will determine the factors influencing calling in Notaden species. Incidently, this will also indicate the amount of time each species spends on the surface, and how long they spend buried.
Background and Significance of the Research Question to drought risk, vulnerability, preparedness, or resilience:
Bioturbation by frogs has the potential to significantly improve drought resilience in ecosystems, particularly in grazing lands. Frogs have surprisingly high biomass in and around water bodies.
By burrowing into and loosening soil, burrowing frogs enhance its ability to retain water, which is essential for maintaining moisture levels during dry periods. This improved water infiltration helps plants access deeper soil moisture, supporting vegetation growth even in low-rainfall conditions. Healthier plant cover not only stabilises the soil but also reduces evaporation from the ground, further conserving moisture. Additionally, frogs contribute to organic matter decomposition, enriching the soil with nutrients that boost plant resilience under drought stress, and they help control insect populations, which can reduce the need for chemical pest control methods. By supporting soil structure and water retention, bioturbation by frogs increases the land’s drought resilience, helping reduce vulnerability and enhancing preparedness against prolonged dry spells.
We think this project can contribute to ensuring farming systems are productive, sustainable and adapted to future drought (e.g. through improved soil and landscape health.
Academic and research experience relevant to the honours project:
I have an undergraduate degree in Zoology & Ecology from James Cook University, and take a personal interest in frogs and herpetology. Reflecting this interest, in 3rd year, my undergraduate capstone subject major project was on rainforest frog jumping behaviour.
Principal Supervisor’s skills and experience in relation to this project topic:
Lin Schwarzkopf is a herpetologist with 33 year’s experience studying frogs and frog behaviour. She has also studied the impact of grazing strategies on biodiversity, including frogs, and is interested in the roles biodiversity can play providing ecosystem services to graziers. She has supervised 24 honours students to completion.
I have lived most of my life in the Northern Territory, surrounded by the breathtaking and vast environment that encapsulates Northern Australia. The uniqueness of the environment and my natural curiosity ultimately lead to my love for the unique and wonderful fauna found throughout Australia. However, frogs have always intrigued me due to their complex life history/calling patterns and differing survival strategies.
During my Zoology and Ecology major, I further explored my interest in the environment and frogs through both classes that explored flora and fauna and electives that explored the role of soil in the environment. As a result, I have gained a deeper understanding of frogs and a new interest and appreciation of soil and its importance in maintaining the status quo of the environment. Naturally, the next step was to join these two interests, which led to a new interest in burrowing frogs, which have found a method to thrive even in Australia’s dry and arid areas.
My research will develop a better understanding of the interaction between these unique frogs and their immediate environment. The results will also shed light on how burrowing frogs influence soil movement. This endeavour aligns with my academic interests and my commitment to developing a better understanding of our environment.
Future Career Goals:
After completing my Honours, I would like to continue analysing and monitoring frog populations/communities while exploring the practical usage of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). Lastly, I will continue to seek future opportunities to learn about frogs, PAM, and the environment.
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