Species diversity of anurans in collaboratively managed forest compartments of Budongo Central Forest Reserve

Abstract

Anuran species diversity was studied in Budongo Central Forest Reserve, located in western Uganda from June to July 2022. Sampling was done in four forest compartments: two (N2 and W23) under Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) and two (W21 and W22) not under CFM. The specific objectives were: 1) To assess the Anuran species diversity in the CFM and NonCFM; and 2) To determine site similarity between CFM and Non-CFM compartments. Visual encounter surveys were used to sample the Anurans from the four forest compartments. There were 33 encounters of frogs across transects with W22 having the greatest frequency of species encounters, N2 and W22 had two unique species and W21 had one. Eight species of frogs were recorded in five genera and four families. The Non-CFM and one CFM (N2) compartments possessed the highest species richness. W21 (Non-CFM) and N2 (CFM) had the highest species diversity and evenness. The family Arthroleptidae was the most species rich, represented by four species in two genera (Arthroleptis and Leptopelis). The genus Arthroleptis had the highest number of species (three) followed by Ptychadena with two. In terms of similarity, the species occurrence differed between transects. The two Non-CFM compartments had the same species composition. In terms of site similarity; Non-CFM compartments were the most dissimilar sites compared to CFM compartments. The CFM compartment N2 was most similar to Non-CFM compartment W21. This study provides data on the amphibian species and the results suggest that there are no significant effects of Collaborative Forest Management on anuran communities in Budongo central forest reserve. However, it would be useful to repeat this type of study on a more comprehensive scale to determine the generalizability of these results.