NERP TE Project 3.3 Targeted surveys for missing and critically endangered rainforest frogs in ecotonal areas, and assessment of whether populations are recovering from disease (JCU)

This project is conducting surveys of frogs and other vertebrates in ecotonal areas of the Wet Tropics and Eungella. The primary aims are to: (1) assess the current status, distribution and population size of missing and critically endangered frog species of the Wet Tropics and Eungella; (2) map the distribution and intensity of chytrid fungus disease across ecotonal areas; (3) survey these poorly known ecotonal areas for other vertebrates; and (4) provide recommendations for the management of endangered frogs and other threatened vertebrates, and work with land managers to carry out conservation actions. Ultimately this project will determine: \n\n1. whether the ¿extinct¿ frogs of the Wet Tropics and Eungella are really extinct, and what the status of the critically endangered and endagered species is,\n2. whether the dry forest/rainforest ecotones of the western Wet Tropics and Eungella harbour overlooked populations of missing and endangered endangered frog species, and other vertebrates of interest, and\n3. whether threatened frogs are recovering from chytrid disease.

本项目针对湿润热带（Wet Tropics）与温根德拉（Eungella）的生态交错带（ecotonal areas）开展蛙类及其他脊椎动物调查。本项目的核心研究目标如下：
1. 评估湿润热带与温根德拉地区已消失及极危蛙类的当前生存现状、分布格局与种群规模；
2. 绘制生态交错带中壶菌病（Chytrid Fungus Disease）的分布范围与感染强度图谱；
3. 针对这些鲜为人知的生态交错带开展其他脊椎动物类群调查；
4. 为濒危蛙类及其他受威胁脊椎动物的保护管理提供科学建议，并协同土地管理者落地实施保护行动。

本项目最终将明确以下三项核心科学问题：
1. 湿润热带与温根德拉地区曾被判定为"灭绝"的蛙类是否真的已彻底消失，以及极危与濒危蛙类的实际生存状态；
2. 湿润热带西部与温根德拉的旱林/雨林生态交错带是否藏匿着未被记录的已消失及濒危蛙类种群，以及其他受关注的脊椎动物类群；
3. 受威胁蛙类是否已从壶菌病感染中实现种群恢复。