Last updated November 10, 2017 at 10:38 am
A new citizen science project called FrogID was launched today by the Australian Museum and IBM Australia.
Every frog species makes a unique sound. With the FrogID app, you can record a frog call to help scientists count and identify frog species around Australia. It will combine time and location data so that the biodiversity of frogs can be mapped across Australia.
This data will help identify areas and species under threat. The calls are the most accurate way to identify frog species in the wild, as many frogs look very similar. You will learn what type of frogs that live around you, and you may even discover a new species of frog!
Credit: Australian Museum
Citizen science projects like this encourage people to think about conservation and look after our native species, while educating the public about environmentalism.
Australia is home to some of the most unique animals on the planet and that includes our amphibian friends – all 240 native frog species.
Frogs are important for conservation biology. They are a key indicator of the health of waterways and wetlands. Healthy numbers of frog populations indicate a thriving, happy ecosystem. However, if their habitat is polluted or damaged, their populations will drop.
Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea). Credit: Bradshaw, Australian Museum
“Frogs are a tipping point in the environment. The loss of frogs is also likely to have huge pest management implications for our agricultural production and wellbeing, as they help control insect populations, such as mosquitoes. If they disappear, entire ecosystems may be at risk,” said Dr Jodi Rowley, the Curator of Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum.
The app will also help track the spread of the introduced pest, cane toads, which have negative effects on native wildlife.
This digital project is a national project for all citizen scientists to get involved.
To download the FrogID app and find out more about the project, visit www.frogid.net.au
Hands up if you love frogs! ✋️#Citizenscience project #FrogID launches 10 Nov, stay updated –> https://t.co/KpOc0xzU6q 🐸 Photo @jodirowley pic.twitter.com/XM3j1kPhbJ
— Australian Museum (@austmus) October 23, 2017
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