Abstract:

Amphibian protection can be encouraged through vital amphibian diversity and habitat selection studies. In September to October 2018 and March to August 2019, a total of 5,688 amphibians were recorded from the Bijie Salaxi rocky desertification comprehensive control area. The amphibians collected belonged to 2 orders, 6 families, 9 genera and 10 species. Various metrics were used to understand amphibian diversity in various environmental conditions such as the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Margalef richness index and Pielou evenness index. Additionally, the Sorenson similarity coefficient and cluster analysis were used to analyze community similarity and difference. The results showed that: (1) Glyphoglossus yunnanensis was the dominant species, Tylototriton kweichowensis, Oreolalax rhodostigmatus, Bufo gargarizans, and Hyla annectans, Rana chaochiaoensis were the common species, Microhyla butleri, Hylarana guentheri, Odorrana junlianensis, and Rana weiningensis were the rare species. (2) The abundance of species, individuals, and habitat types increased in no rocky desertification areas and potential rocky desertification areas than in the other three grades of rocky desertification areas. Additionally, the diversity index and richness index were the largest in the non-rocky desertification areas. (3) Between no rocky desertification areas and potential rocky desertification areas; potential rocky desertification areas, and no rocky desertification areas showed strong differences with the other three grade areas. This study shows rocky desertification habitat differences in karst areas is important to distribution differences among amphibians, and strengthening the ecological control of rocky desertification is an important way to protect amphibians in karst areas.

Key words: rocky desertification, karst, amphibians, diversity, habitat selection