Value of forest remnants for montane amphibians on the livestock grazed Mount Mbam, Cameroon

Habitat loss and degradation are the primary threats to biodiversity, especially for amphibians. In the Highlands of Cameroon, knowledge on the impacts of different forms of habitat loss, such as livestock management, is restricted to anecdotal reports. This study investigated the impact of forest fragmentation, driven primarily by livestock grazing, on the amphibian assemblage on Mount Mbam, West Region, Cameroon. Stratified, multi-season surveys over two years recorded the abundance and community composition of anuran species. Based on the revised inventory of amphibians the proportion of threatened species on Mount Mbam was calculated at 23.52%. A small population of Phrynobatrachus steindachneri was found to occur despite having completely disappeared on other mountains in its distribution range. One species known to the mountain, Cardioglossa schioetzi, was not found during the surveys. The remaining forest patches were found to be significant habitat for several species endemic to the mountains of Cameroon-Nigeria. The savanna, likely expanded by livestock grazing, held numerous reed frog species that likely benefit from forest loss, especially in low-to mid-range elevations. The observed relationship between land-use and amphibians on this mountain indicates that the ongoing conversion of forest to pasture threatens remaining montane endemic anuran species, with conservation planning and action now necessary.