Maharashtra's Konkan Region and Its Unique Ecosystem

Maharashtra's Konkan region, characterized by lateritic plateaus known as 'sadas,' features unique freshwater rock pools that are crucial frog breeding habitats. These pools are formed through erosion and weathering over millions of years.

Research Paper on Tadpole Ecology

• A paper titled “Effects of abiotic and biotic factors on tadpole occurrence and abundance in seasonal rock pools of rock outcrops, northern Western Ghats” was published in the journal Aquatic Ecology on April 4, 2025.
• Authors: Vijayan Jithin and Rohit Naniwadekar from the Nature Conservation Foundation.
• The study explores how factors like pool size, monsoon progression, and predator presence affect tadpole populations.

Importance of Rock Pools

• Rock pools serve as breeding grounds and habitats for frogs and other endemic organisms.
• They temporarily store water during the monsoon, providing a safe environment for frog breeding and tadpole development.
• Endemic species such as phytoplanktons, insects, and larger vertebrates are also found in these pools.

Fieldwork and Findings

The fieldwork was conducted in Devihasol village, Ratnagiri district, from July to September 2022. The study examined how biotic and abiotic factors affect tadpole survival, including:

• Predation and competition
• Aquatic permanence and temperature
• Anthropogenic disturbances

Frogs require stable water bodies to ensure the successful development of tadpoles. The study emphasizes the importance of rock pools as breeding habitats due to their water availability and absence of large predators.

Conservation Implications

• The study underscores the need to conserve rock pools for amphibian conservation, especially amidst threats from habitat degradation and conversion of outcrops to orchards.
• Tadpoles contribute to biodiversity by influencing ecosystem functions like leaf litter breakdown and nutrient cycling.
• Conservation of these habitats is crucial for ecosystem maintenance in the face of climate change.

Specific Study Observations

• Field data was collected from 10 rock pools over 1.15 km.
• Monthly rainfall ranged from 408.1 mm to 639.8 mm during the study period.
• The study focused on three frog species: Jaladhara Skittering Frog, Nilphamari Narrow-mouthed Frog, and Common Indian Treefrog.
• Monitoring involved counting tadpoles and potential predators like fishing spiders, crabs, and dragonfly larvae.

Conclusion

The research highlights the significant role of tadpoles in maintaining healthy ecosystems and supports the development of species-specific conservation strategies in response to global amphibian habitat threats.