How you can help conservation efforts by recording frog noises
Calling all nature lovers! Grab your phone and head to your garden, local park or waterway to help experts understand frog populations in South Australia.
The FrogWatch SA Seasonal Census kicks off this week (1 – 8 March) and you’re invited to help uncover the hidden world of frogs by recording their calls.
Whether you’re a budding citizen scientist or looking for something fun to do with the kids, the census is an opportunity for everyday South Australians to contribute valuable data and support conservation efforts.
Interested? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is the FrogWatch SA Seasonal Census?
The FrogWatch SA Seasonal Census is a collaborative initiative between Green Adelaide and the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.
During the first week of each season, South Australians are invited to head outside and record frog calls via the FrogSpotter smartphone app or FrogWatch SA website.
Recordings are then reviewed by frog experts who identify the specific species and map the call using GPS data.
How can I participate in the census?
It’s super easy. All you need to do is:
- Download the FrogSpotter app
- Next time you find yourself at a creek, river, wetland – or any other body of water for that matter – open the FrogSpotter app on your phone or tablet
- Record any frog noises for 3 – 5 minutes, which will give an accurate assessment of frogs at a specific time and place
- Upload the recording to the app or the website
Top tip: Don’t hear any frogs? You can still record for the same length of time anyway – yes, that may mean recording silence. The information still provides valuable insights, particularly in areas where frogs have been previously recorded.
How does the census help frogs?
By recording frog noises, you'll be helping ecologists understand how frogs are fairing in our state. This knowledge will enable conservation efforts to be better targeted and more effective.
Frogs are particularly sensitive to pollution and habitat degradation, which means their presence, or lack thereof, is a good indicator of the health of the surrounding environment.
Data uploaded via the app or website is also added to the Biological Database of South Australia and the Atlas of Living Australia, enabling wide access and analysis by a range of scientists, ecologists and conservation experts.
What frogs could I hear?
South Australia has 31 known species of frog including the rare Bibron’s toadlet and well-known cannibal southern bell frog.
To discover more species and what they sound like, be sure to read 5 frogs to listen out for if you live in South Australia.
Interested in citizen science opportunities? Discover 6 fun citizen science projects that benefit South Australia’s natural environment.
Main image: Martin Stokes
