An Investigation Of Amphibian Diversity And Abundance In Relation To Environmental Change In Harenna Forest Bale Mountains National Park Ethiopia

Amphibian diversity and abundance in relation to environmental change inrnHarenna Forest, BMNP was assessed using four complementary methods:rnamphibian sampling, GIS and Remote sensing, measuring and analysis ofrnDevelopmental Instability (DI) in frogs and conducting focus group discussions.rnSampling of amphibian communities was conducted during July-August 2008rnand February 2009; which includes wet and dry seasons in the area. Systematicrnsampling survey, Random search, VES and AES methods were used torndetermine the current abundance, distribution and diversity of the amphibians.rnData on diversity, evenness and dominance was analyzed using Shannon-rnWeaver’s (H) index and Simpson’s diversity index (D).rnThe total number of individuals encountered in both seasons equals 159.rnNumber of amphibians as determined from the total count was 54 and 105rnindividuals during the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Seven endemicrnamphibian species which belong to one order, 4 families and 6 genera werernrecorded.rnThe current number and species of amphibians was compared with the pastrninvestigation of amphibians in the Harenna Forest known as the 1986 HarennarnForest expedition. The results show a decrease in abundance and diversity ofrnamphibians over the past 20 years given the intensive sampling in the presentrninvestigation.rnGIS and Remote sensing methods using satellite images of the Harenna Forestrnwere used to quantitatively analyze land use/land cover changes from 1973 torn2000. The results show a significant reduction in the forest cover and wetlandsrnfollowed by the establishment of new land use types such as agricultural landrnand settlement in 2000.rnMeasurement and analysis of DI in frogs revealed that the frogs collected in thernpresent investigation show anti symmetry in the left and right differences, whichrnis an indication of unhealthy environment or that frogs are at risk of declining.rnxirnFocus group discussions were conducted with the local people living in HarennarnForest to qualitatively assess their awareness about environmental change andrnits influence on their daily life. It is manifested that local people are aware ofrnchange in their environment. Findings from the four methodological approachesrnrevealed the number of amphibians have declined over the past 20 years.rnKey words: Amphibian, Harenna Forest, Diversity, Abundance,rnEnvironmental change

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