Cuban amphibians comprise a significant West Indies amphibian group with 60 species and 95% of endemism. Estimates in IUCN et al. (2004) consider 47 Cuban species as threatened, and together with the high local endemism rate (about 1/3 of the species), makes this a very vulnerable fauna. Most of the endemic and threatened species inhabits rainforests in Cuba. No field studies have been made to known the status of Cuban amphibians. Many Cuban amphibians could be underestimated in the IUCN account and their threatened categories could change if sound field research is conducted. Also, no publication exists with updated distribution maps of Cuban amphibians.

This project will produce updated information on distribution, abundance and status of the amphibians living in Cuban forests. Since the rainforests-associated species have undergone highest decline rates, these species run the risk of disappear firstly if any decline event occur in Cuba. We will carry out about intensive field expeditions aimed to survey relatively unexplored portions of Cuban rainforests. These surveys will be the base to document local status of the target species, population estimates, critical habitat requirements and distribution data. We will use plots, transects and call point-counts in each site surveyed, making night searches for amphibians. With these techniques we will estimate relative density for every species. Using hand-held GPS receivers we will record coordinates for each individual detected from the field. These data will be integrated with literature and collections specimen records and assembled into a GIS database along remote sensing data. We will then use GIS technology to model distribution and obtain potential distribution maps of every species. We will evaluate the effectiveness of the existing network of Cuban protected areas by looking at the coincidence between areas with presence of target species and reserves.

Our study will identify conservation threats and needs, and for this we will note and quantify every possible factor: habitat destruction/modification, alien species, etc. Threats to the amphibian conservation together status of species will be analysed to estimate importance of every factor and make general and species-based recommendations to diminish or eliminate the effects. We will made brochures, posters and colour guides with information on threatened Cuban amphibians to be distributed in the human communities (especially in schools) living in/around the rainforests. This action will contribute to the conservation of amphibians by means of the education of decision-makers and local residents, taking advantage of amphibians as a “hook” for engaging the common citizen in appreciating and conserving nature.