Wetland Restoration for Acid Frogs
Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) has experienced decades of sand mining, leaving long-term impacts on its unique wallum wetlands. Since the closure of the Yarraman Mine in 2015, efforts have been made to restore these ecosystems. This project focused on one group of species particularly affected by the changes, acid frogs, including the threatened Litoria olongburensis.
Using passive acoustic monitoring, researchers recorded frog calls during the breeding season across restored, natural and disturbed wetlands. These recordings, alongside water quality testing, helped assess how well the frogs are returning to the landscape.
Results show some recovery in restored areas, but populations of Litoria olongburensis remain significantly smaller than in undisturbed wetlands. This is likely due to changes in water acidity. The findings highlight both the progress and ongoing challenges of wetland restoration on the island.
