Systematic, range-wide occupancy survey for green and golden bell frog to identify sites to target future conservation efforts

The green and golden bell frog (GGBF; Ranoidea aurea) was once abundant across eastern New South Wales (NSW). However, the species is highly susceptible to chytrid fungus, and populations declined sharply following the arrival and spread of the pathogen in the late 1970s. Since that time, the species has undergone widespread declines and range contractions, having disappeared from more than 90% of its former distribution. As a result, it is currently listed as endangered in NSW. Notably, the species has largely disappeared from cooler upland areas. Through the NSW Saving our Species program, annual monitoring over the past decade at seven key populations has documented continued and, in some cases, accelerating declines.