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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Toadlet project to end soon

 

A project at Pretty Beach Public School to restore the habitat of the red-crowned toadlet, an endangered species of frog, is expected to be completed by April.

The school's P&C association was awarded a $22,010 grant two years ago from the Environmental Trust, a NSW government body whose aim is to support environmental projects of significance.

The Association has employed amphibian consultant Andrew Stauber, one of the key researchers in this field, to monitor the frog population.

The aim of the project was to remove weeds, stimulate native plant regeneration and reduce soil erosion.

The association also employed a professional bush regeneration company, Total Earth Care.

Andrew devised a set of guidelines for the bush regenerators so that they would avoid disturbing the frogs especially during breeding times.

Toxic herbicides were not to be sprayed but applied selectively by cut-and-paint techniques.

Rocks and fallen litter were not to be disturbed.

Primary weed clearing has been successful, with many native plant seedlings appearing, and the frogs do not seem to have been adversely affected.

Monitoring of the frogs is continuing.

The best time is at night, especially when it is raining.

Andrew listens for the calling of the male frogs and estimates the total population.

Part of his job has been to educate the volunteers and the school children about Red-crowned Toadlets and frogs in general.

The highlight for many has been to see the toadlets in the flesh with their bright red-crowns.

They are terrestrial breeders, which means that they lay their eggs on the ground in leaf litter, not in water as do most frogs.

After the eggs are fertilized, rain is needed to wash the eggs into a temporary "puddle" so that hatching and metamorphosis can occur.

This is precarious process and failure to breed is high.

Knowledge of these frogs is in its infancy.

An important side effect of removing the weeds from the frogs' habitat is that the biodiversity and health of the bushland are improved.

Other native animals benefit too.

The school children have been able to gain first-hand experience of an endangered species and of a project to help restore its habitat.

At the end of the project, the school's volunteer bush care group will take on maintenance of the site.

Anyone wanting to visit the site and see the work that has been done, should contact the group.

The group is meeting to pull out some weeds on Sunday, February 24, from 10am until noon.

A guided walk through the bush regeneration project will be held at 11am.

With inquiries, call Kate Consterdine on 4360 1290.

Newsletter, January 25