Cute, quirky, critical: ribbeting reasons to celebrate frogs
This World Frog Day, find out what makes these critters so important and why we're looking for them at the Sunshine Coast Ecological Park project site.
March 20 is World Frog Day and we’re leaping to celebrate!
Sunshine Coast Council recently completed a frog survey at the Sunshine Coast Ecological Park site in Maleny, as part of the project’s early site investigations and design planning phase.
Ecological consultants engaged by Council used a range of methods including catching tadpoles with a dip net during the day, listening for their calls at night, and using torches to look for reflections from their eyes.
The survey results help to form a current picture of frog populations at the site.
The Sunshine Coast Ecological Park project
The 65-hectare park site is next to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.
The project aims to protect, celebrate, and restore the site’s environmental values while supporting nature-based recreation, education, research and cultural heritage.
Why are frogs important?
Frogs play a critical role as both predator and prey to many other species.
They have a thin, permeable skin that can absorb water and other substances, and they live both in water and land.
This makes them sensitive to changes in the environment.
During the frog survey at the ecological park site, consultants spotted species such as:
- striped marsh frog ( Limnodynastes peronii )
- tusked frog ( Adelotus brevis )
- eastern sedge frog ( Litoria fallax )
- great barred frog ( Mixophyes fasciolatus )
- a young pair of graceful tree frogs ( Litoria gracilenta )
- stony creek frog ( Litoria lesueuri sensu lato )
- slender bleating tree frog ( Litoria balatus ).
Did you know: frogs and tadpoles generally eat insects and some algae, but some larger frog species (including green tree frogs) can also eat small mammals such as mice and bats!
Investigations continue for ecological park project
Early site investigations and research activities at the ecological park are vital first steps in understanding the site as Council works towards the long-term delivery of the environmental and recreational precinct.
Our community will have many opportunities to play an integral role in the park’s restorative process and connect more strongly with the land and each other.
Stay up to date with the latest park news by subscribing to email updates at the project page.