Bufo melanostictus. ©Bikas Giri.

Evidence of global decline in amphibian population has highlighted the need of more extensive and rigorous monitoring programs to document the species occurrence and detect the population changes. Therefore, a complete inventory of the amphibians in Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) becomes crucial in this area before they become extinct. Unless a comprehensive study on the species accounts, diversity and distribution is conducted, no reasonable management recommendation and conservation action plan can be established. This study aims at understanding the diversity and distribution of amphibian species in Annapurna Conservation Area and documenting their existing threats on amphibian species in ACA.

Discovery of many new amphibian species is going on worldwide and perhaps some species have already extinct without documenting them. This survey work for amphibians in Annapurna Conservation Area will provide the baseline information and their distribution along altitudinal gradients. The project will assist the concern authorities and related stakeholders in formulating effective management plans for the conservation of rapidly declined amphibians. Since the amphibians are considered as key bio-indicators of environmental health due to their sensitivity to water pollution (Mackessy, 1998), their research and baseline information help us to understand the status of wetlands and overall freshwater ecosystems in ACA. Moreover, this baseline information can be used for species richness and population changed indicators in the future.

The key outcomes of this project are:

- Documentation of amphibian species diversity in ACA.

- Detail species accounts of the amphibians discovered in ACA.

- Distribution of amphibians in different habitat types and along altitudinal gradients in ACA.

- Identification of the hotspots for amphibian diversity in ACA.

- Assessment of existing survival threats and challenges for amphibian conservation in ACA.

- Publication of field guide for further research and conservation activities of amphibian species in ACA.

Field data will be published in Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) webpage as in the form of ‘ISO compliant METADATA’ for global sharing and for free access. Amphibian species accounts and diversity will be prepared with all details and good photographs as in the form of ‘Amphibian Field Guide Book’ which will help to survey and further research on amphibians in Annapurna Conservation Area.