Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

Agricultural activities could lead to deforestation with resultant consequences on biodiversity. Biodiversity is supported by forests which invariably provide habitat for wildlife. Habitat loss and habitat degradation usually increase the threat faced by amphibian populations. In the tropics, the largest percentage of human land-use is agriculture because it is the economic mainstay of many African countries. The increasing use of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals especially in cocoa farming are most likely to affect the existence and health of amphibians. An area can be made unsuitable for amphibian reproduction and survival by land-use changes in some cases but in some other a reasonable subset of original amphibian community could still be supported by disturbed/converted areas. Data on amphibian diversity in cocoa plantations are lacking. This study therefore aimed at determining species richness, relative abundance and community composition of amphibians in cocoa plantations. This study was conducted in August 2012-October 2013 in cocoa plantations located in a transitional forest of southwestern Nigeria (60 45?N, 50 17?E). The plantations are transverse by pockets of streams. Amphibians were collected from their breeding sites in puddles and streams as well as from vegetation within the plantations. A combination of visual (VES) and acoustic (AES) encounter survey was used. All amphibians were collected by hand at night (7.00 p.m to 1.00 a.m). Collected specimens were identified following laid down protocols. Each identified species was photographed and the snoutvent length (SVL) was taken. Nine hundred and twelve amphibians belonging to 7 families, 10 genera and 36 species were encountered. Twenty-three identified species of amphibian were presented while 13 species were unidentified.

Biography

Omoyemwen Edo-Taiwo is a Ph.D student in the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Interesting results have emanated from her research work which is still ongoing and some of these have been communicated at conferences. She is currently an Assistant Lecturer in the same University and also a member of the Departmental Welfare Committee. She has three publications in both national and international journals and has written other papers from her research work which is being considered for publication.