The Action Plan for Australian Frogs
By
Michael J. Tyler
with the assistance of the Editorial Advisory Committee
Wildlife Australia, April 1997
ISBN 0 642 21400 X
Recovery Outline No. 6: Wallum Sedge Frog
1. Family
Hylidae
2. Scientific Name
Litoria olongburensis
3. English Name
Wallum Sedge Frog, Olongburra Frog, Sharp-snouted Reed Frog
4. Intraspecific taxa:
None.
5. Species survival status
Vulnerable. The species is only known from coastal acid swamps and streams. Its habitat has been greatly reduced and fragmented.
6. Former distribution
Coastal and island sand masses south from Fraser Island in Qld to Woolgoolga in NSW.
7. Current distribution
Still known from across its previous range but has suffered major loss and fragmentation of habitat south of Noosa, Qld.
8. Habitat
Well vegetated acid swamps and streams on coastal sand masses.
9. Reasons for decline
Loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat through coastal urban development, establishment of pine plantations (Ingram and McDonald 1993), agriculture, drainage or other alterations to hydrology and sand mining. Is possibly also affected by:
a) increased competition from species such as Litoria fallax that invade following habitat disturbance; and
b) mosquito control programs (reduced health or direct death of larvae and adults, reduced food resources, modifications to habitat).
10. Conservation reserves on which species occurs
Qld: Great Sandy, Cooloola, Noosa, Bribie Island, Moreton Island, and Blue Lake National Parks; NSW: Broadwater, Bundjalung, and Yuraygir National Parks, Tyagarah and Broken Head Nature Reserves.
11. Other public lands on which species occurs
Qld: Beerwah, Tuan and Toolara State Forests, crown lands north of Coolum and west of Marcoola (Sunshine Coast), Eighteen Mile Swamp- North Stradbroke Island; NSW: crown lands south of Yamba and west of Brunswick Heads, Cape Byron Headland Reserve.
12. Other lands on which species occurs
Qld: None known; NSW: west of Tyagarah Nature Reserve, Round Mountain near Lake Cudgen, Jali Council land at Newrybar, Cobaki Lakes and Hastings Point.
13. Is knowledge about species adequate for objectives and actions to be defined accurately?
No.
14. Recovery Plan objectives
14.1. To determine the status of populations of the species.
14.2. To make recommendations for habitat management that will promote the survival of populations.
14.3. To conserve significant populations on lands outside conservation reserves.
15. Management actions completed or under way
15.1. Some sites in the Great Sandy Region were surveyed and the subject of short term monitoring as part of the preparation of the management plan for the region.
15.2. Recent fauna surveys have been conducted at a number of sites in the known range of this species in NSW.
15.4. Species profiles and draft species management prescriptions have been jointly prepared by State Forests of NSW and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for protection of this species within production forest.
16. Management actions required
16.1. Monitor population numbers and recruitment.
16.2. Carry out surveys in areas proposed for development.
16.3. Assess the effects of habitat fragmentation and disturbance on population genetics.
16.4. Investigate the possible effects of increased competition from invading species and mosquito control programs.
16.5. Develop measures to protect breeding and non-breeding habitats in areas proposed for development (eg. urban, mining, forestry).
17. Organisations responsible for conservation of species
Qld Department of Environment, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
18. Other organisations involved
Qld Department of Natural Resources, State Forests of NSW.
19. Can recovery be carried out with existing resources?
No.
Field and laboratory studies are required. Field work would also provide information to assist management of other "acid frogs" that are listed as insufficiently known in this Action Plan (eg. Crinia tinnula and Litoria freycineti). Research could be carried out over three years (salaries $50K pa; travel and equipment $10K pa).
Total $180K
References:
Ingram, G.J. and McDonald, K.R. 1993. An update on the decline of Queenslands frogs. pp 297-303 in Herpetology in Australia: a diverse discipline. Eds D. Lunney, and D. Ayers, Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Mosman.
Herpetological authorities consulted
M. Cunningham, H. Hines, M.J. Mahony.