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VOL. 11, ISSUE 3 (2026)
Ecological drivers of anuran diversity and microhabitat use in the wetlands of Alappuzha, Keralam
Authors
Sandeep K Das, Dr. Suresh K K
Abstract
Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems
increasingly threatened by habitat degradation, land-use change, and climate
change, particularly in low-altitude landscapes outside protected areas. Amphibians
are highly sensitive to environmental variation, making them useful indicators
of wetland ecological condition. This study investigated the environmental and
microhabitat factors associated with anuran occurrence in the wetlands of
Alappuzha, Keralam. Field surveys recorded anuran occurrences along with
substrate temperature, air temperature, soil moisture, canopy cover, humidity,
and associated microhabitat characteristics. A total of 63 anuran individuals
were recorded across five microhabitat categories: herbaceous vegetation, leaf
litter, open ground, shrub layer, and open water surface. A binomial
generalized linear model was used to evaluate the influence of environmental
and microhabitat variables on anuran occurrence. Soil moisture and substrate
temperature emerged as significant predictors, with anuran occurrence
increasing with soil moisture but decreasing with substrate temperature. Other
environmental and microhabitat variables showed no significant effects. These
findings highlight the importance of moisture availability and near-ground
thermal conditions in supporting anuran populations in low-altitude wetlands.
Maintaining moisture regimes and conserving structurally diverse microhabitats
can therefore contribute to anuran persistence and strengthen conservation
management in human-dominated wetlands outside protected areas.
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Pages:77-79
How to cite this article:
Sandeep K Das, Dr. Suresh K K "Ecological drivers of anuran diversity and microhabitat use in the wetlands of Alappuzha, Keralam". International Journal of Zoology Studies, Vol 11, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 77-79
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