Changes in Species Richness and Rarity of Amphibians between 1997-2005 and 2014-2018 in the Central Region of the Republic of Korea.

The degradation of biodiversity has been a severe problem in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Among the various wildlife, amphibians have high conservation value because of their ecological position and life cycle in both terrestrial and aquatic areas. Owing to the problems caused by the change in the habitat environment of amphibians, many studies have been conducted on the habitat characteristics and distribution changes in the ROK. However, there are only a few studies in the ROK that focused on analyzing suitable habitat areas for various amphibians and investigating species richness and rarity over time We aimed to determine the changes in species richness and rarity by identifying changes in their habitats according to temporal and spatial changes in the central region representing the ROK's temperate climate. Suitable habitat area maps for nine amphibians (Rana huanrensis, Kaloula borealis, Rana coreana, Glandirana rugosa, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, Dryophytes japonicus, Onychodactylus fischeri, Bufo gargarizans, and Bufo stejnegeri) at different periods were drawn. Spatial changes in species richness and rarity over time were identified using those maps. The area with high species richness decreased, whereas that with low species richness increased. In terms of species rarity, the high-altitude region had a relatively higher species rarity than the low-altitude region. Some groups were derived on the basis of the increase and decrease in the species richness and rarity of amphibians, whereas the distribution of each group was distinguished by the altitude and distance from the road. Accordingly, priority areas for conservation in the central region of the ROK were found. This study can be applied as a framework for the conservation of amphibians in temperate countries such as the ROK. It will help identify amphibians' habitats that should be protected first when a regional development is planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]