The Philippine endemic Giant Visayan Frog (Limnonectes visayanus) was found thriving in Mananga and Kotkot watersheds in Cebu. (Image credit: CTU Project Team)
A project led by the Cebu Technological University (CTU) has been making strides in building baseline data on the current diversity of anurans populating Cebu watersheds. Anuran is the largest amphibian group comprising frogs and toads.
Led by Dr. Archiebald Baltazar B. Malaki of CTU, the project, “Diversity, Distribution, and Conservation Status of Anuran Species in Mananga and Kotkot Watersheds, Cebu, Philippines,” aims to assess the diversity and distribution of anuran species and document their conservation status and economic value.
Human disturbances, e.g., logging, excavation, coal mining, construction, improper waste disposal, agriculture, sand and gravel extraction, directly impact the ecology of these watersheds that provide potable water to much of Central Cebu. The establishment of baseline data on important faunal groups, such as anurans, is essential considering their role as an important indicator of environmental health.
Cebu’s Mananga Watershed, home to several Anuran species, is currently enduring urbanization activities that threatens its ecological integrity. (Image credit: FERD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The project is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and monitored by the Council’s Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD). Recently, the FERD team of DOST-PCAARRD conducted a field monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activity to track the progress of the project. The DOST-PCAARRD monitoring team, composed of FERD Director Nimfa K. Torreta, Dr. Dalisay E. Cabral, Dr. Christine Santiago, and Ms. Aster H. Opeña visited Brgy. Jaclupan, Talisay City, Cebu then conducted a project review at the CTU Argao campus.
The project team documented both native and invasive anuran species, recording at least five new species distribution records. In total, they had identified eight species, with the invasive species Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) found to be the most abundant. The Giant Visayan frog (Limnonectes visayanus), endemic to the Philippines, was also found to be thriving in the watershed.
Cane Toad (Rhinella marina), an invasive species of anuran caught in the streams of Mananga Watershed in Brgy. Jaclupan, Talisay City Cebu during the field visit on October 16, 2024. (Images credit: FERD, DOST-PCAARRD)
These findings, along with the anthropogenic disturbances observed in the sampling sites, highlighted the need for ongoing monitoring to track anuran population health. A thorough understanding of their diversity and distribution will inform conservation strategies, especially in light of ongoing urbanization.
The project is crucial in conserving anuran diversity and maintaining the ecological integrity of the watersheds, which are essential for Cebu's biodiversity and water resources. To raise awareness about the importance of watershed management and anuran species conservation, the project team is also set to communicate the outputs to the local communities.
The project supports the “Central Visayas R&D Center for Biodiversity,” established under the DOST-Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) program.