Surveying amphibians in the Bekaa Valley

Surveying a pool for Amphibians in the Bekaa valley, 2004

In 2005 a three year global assessment of amphibians was completed. The study demonstrated that of the 5,743 species known to science nearly one third (32%) are threatened with extinction. Since 1980 when the first dramatic declines were noted nine species have become extinct and another 113 species haven’t been recorded in the wild in recent years and are considered to be possibly extinct. Some 43% of all species are in population decline and fewer than 1% are increasing. The study, which is the most comprehensive ever undertaken, determined that the reasons for these decline are extremely varied but the dominant causes are disease, habitat destruction and air and water pollution.

A Rocha Lebanon is leading amphibian research work in the Aammiq wetlands of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. The wetlands are the most significant within the country and, as such, have been designated as a RAMSAR site and an Important Bird Area. Detailed studies of the marsh have already been undertaken by A Rocha but the other ponds, small seasonal pools and springs throughout the Central Bekaa were in need of further investigation.

To develop a better understanding of amphibian populations within the area, and particularly in these lesser studied parts of the Central Bekaa, A Rocha led two international research teams of herpetologists in 2004 and 2005. The 2005 programme, which conducted investigations on 76 sites, identified five different amphibian species within the survey area. These were:

Eastern Spadefoot Toad, Pelobates syriacus
Mediterranean Tree Frog, Hyla savignyi
Green Toad, Bufo viridis
Levantine Frog, Rana bedriagae
Salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata

An Eastern Spadefoot (Pelobates syriacus) tadpole.

In two distinct locations the survey recorded the Eastern Spadefoot Toad Pelobates syriacus, for which there were only unconfirmed records for Lebanon and no clear knowledge of its locations. This finding was particularly significant as one of the pools where it was discovered was due to be drained for agriculture within the following month. Through negotiations with local parties the A Rocha Lebanon team have established an agreement for preserving part of the site as a nature reserve for the pool’s conservation.

The surveys have established a sound foundation of knowledge about the local amphibian populations and have been used in the formulation of management plans and agreements for nature protection in the Aammiq wetlands and other sites. As part of these plans A Rocha Lebanon staff shall be continuing to carry out monitoring work to track any changes in known species distribution and abundance. In addition further fieldwork is planned to search for a hitherto considered extinct species of painted frog Discoglossus.

A knock-on effect of the study has been the establishment of a shared strategy for further amphibian research in Lebanon with the American University of Beirut and the Université du Liban. The key objectives of this strategy include: the monitoring of the best quality sites in and around the Aammiq Wetland, advice on where to create new ponds in the area, the organization of systematic surveys in other parts of the country, the assessment of the conservation status of known sites and species, and the need to publish the results of the amphibian research in scientific papers to help gain support for future conservation projects.

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Project leader: Colin Conroy and Francois Tron. For further information please contact Lebanon @arocha.org

Partners: Université du Liban, American University of Beirut, Conservation International, MedWet Coast