Preserving breeding habitats in socio-ecological systems: insights from the stenotopic toad species Duttaphrynus hololius

Amphibians that depend on both aquatic and terrestrial environments for their life cycle (lentic water breeders) utilise lentic water systems across diverse habitats like rivers, rocks, farms and forests.Successful breeding in these sites relies on natural water regimes, but anthropogenic alterations pose a significant threat.In the present study, we examined the impact of agricultural practices, small-scale granite mining and silt accumulation on the breeding cycle of the range-restricted and stenotopic Duttaphrynus hololius.We hypothesised that alterations to breeding pools, such as siltation and reduced water availability, would negatively impact the breeding success of this toad species.Our findings indicate that agriculture and grazing did not have a negative impact on breeding activities.Nevertheless, silt accumulation and granite mining were identified as major factors leading to unsuccessful breeding cycles.These results highlight the importance of conserving breeding habitats within socio-ecological landscapes for the persistence of this amphibian.Sustainable management practices are crucial to ensure the survival of D. hololius, particularly those that mitigate the negative impacts of silt accumulation and small-scale granite mining.