Effects of Agricultural Land Use Pattern on Diversity and Abundance of Amphibains in Rapti Muncipality, Chitwan, Nepal

Abstract

Amphibian diversity, abundance, and richness are abundant in the agro-ecosystem. Different agricultural practices, on the other hand, may have a direct impact on the amphibian community by altering the area's physiology and chemical makeup. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of agricultural land use patterns on amphibian diversity and abundance. To conduct the research, the study area, which is a part of Rapti Municipality's agricultural field, was separated into four blocks, two blocks each on the north and south sides of the East-West Highway. According to cropping pattern and intensification, each block was further divided into four habitats: uncultivated land, three crop rotations without vegetable cultivation, three crop rotations with vegetable cultivation, and agricultural land near the forest. A nocturnal, time-constrained visual encounter survey of amphibians was conducted along transects (100×4 m) for 30 minutes at different strata of blocks. Data was collected during June and July 2019. A total of 12 species of amphibians belonging to four families were recorded. The species diversity index was higher (H =1.79) in agricultural land near forest whereas least (H =1.589) in three crop rotations with vegetables cultivation. The total abundance of amphibians was highest (620) in three crop rotations without vegetable cultivation and lowest (234) in three crop rotations with vegetable cultivation along different strata. There was significant relation between species diversity and different agricultural land use patterns (F = 8.039, df = 3,12, p = 0.004) whereas abundance of amphibians was not significant (F = 0.6408, df = 3,12 P = 0.5816) along different agricultural land use patterns. Agricultural patterns, environmental variables, and pesticide usage, all played a role in shaping amphibian species diversity and abundance along different agricultural land use patterns.Thus, agricultural land use patterns effect on amphibians. To conserve amphibians, information should be shared among farmers, and also steps to minimize the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.