Distribution, habitat requirements and conservation of the cascade treefrog (Litoria pearsoniana, Anura: Hylidae) Original Research Article

Thirty-three species of Australian frogs have apparently declined in abundance since the late 1970s, some perhaps to extinction. The cascade treefrog Litoria pearsoniana, a stream-breeding frog from the forests of sub-tropical eastern Australia, was listed as an endangered species in Queensland following reports of population declines between 1978 and 1984. However, these reports were based on limited field data. I conducted a stratified survey across the geographic and environmental range of L. pearsoniana to determine its current distribution, abundance and habitat requirements. I detected L. pearsoniana in all major areas of mesic forest within its historical range, and at 29 of 65 sites surveyed. Statistical habitat modelling demonstrated that L. pearsoniana was most likely to occur at large streams with mesic midstorey vegetation, as indicated by the presence of palms. Abundance of the species, conditional on presence at a site, increased with increasing stream size. Litoria pearsoniana appears to have recovered from earlier population declines. However, suitability of habitat for the species in extensive areas of public forest may be threatened by cattle grazing, and the associated practices of tree clearing and frequent burning.