Artificial Ponds and Seasonal Wetlands Supporting Amphibian Diversity, Breeding Success, and Survival in Agricultural Landscapes

Abstract

Habitat loss, agricultural intensification, wetland degradation, and environmental pollution are emerging threats to amphibians. Agricultural features such as artificial ponds and seasonal wetlands can offer alternative habitats to sustain amphibian diversity, breeding success, and survival. This study sought to examine the contribution of artificial ponds and seasonal wetlands as ecological habitats to support amphibian communities under agricultural land use. In total, 20 aquatic habitats (10 artificial ponds and 10 seasonal wetlands) were investigated in the field, during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. Visual encounter surveys, call monitoring, nocturnal transects, and dip-net sampling of larvae and tadpoles were used to sample amphibians. Additionally, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, pH, turbidity, and vegetation cover were measured. 18 amphibian species were recorded, more species and breeding activity were recorded in seasonal wetlands than in artificial ponds. The mean species richness was 9.1 ± 1.8 in seasonal wetlands, which was higher than 6.2 ± 1.4 in artificial ponds. The density of tadpoles was significantly greater in the seasonal wetlands (31.7 ± 5.6 individuals/m²) than in the artificial ponds (18.5 ± 4.2 individuals/m²). The juvenile survival rates in the seasonal wetlands were 78.5%, and in artificial ponds were 61.3%. ANOVA analysis revealed that there were statistically significant differences in species richness (F = 8.74, p = 0.009), density of tadpoles (F = 11.29, p = 0.004), and juvenile survival (F = 10.15, p = 0.005) among the different habitat types. Positive correlation was found between diversity of the amphibians, dissolved oxygen, and vegetation. These findings show that artificial ponds and seasonal wetlands have an important role to play in amphibian conservation within agricultural environments. Seasonal wetlands serve as excellent breeding sites for amphibians, while artificial ponds function as additional habitats during the dry seasons. This research shows how crucial it is to use sustainable wetland management techniques in agricultural settings.