Sphagnum Frog
EN

Sphagnum Frog

Philoria sphagnicolus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphagnum_frog

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Sphagnum Frog faces severe threats from habitat degradation due to altered fire regimes and climate change impacts on its specialized sphagnum moss bog environments. Increased frequency and intensity of bushfires destroy the delicate moisture balance required for sphagnum moss survival, while rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns further compromise these fragile ecosystems. The species' extremely limited distribution across only a few high-altitude sites in southeastern Australia makes entire populations vulnerable to single catastrophic events.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Sphagnum Frog inhabits specialized sphagnum moss bogs and adjacent wet sclerophyll forests at elevations between 1,000-1,400 meters in the Australian Alps. These frogs require the permanently moist, acidic conditions provided by living sphagnum moss beds, which serve as both breeding habitat and refuge during dry periods.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Sphagnum Frog classified as Endangered?
Sphagnum Frog is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Sphagnum Frog faces severe threats from habitat degradation due to altered fire regimes and climate change impacts on its specialized sphagnum moss bog environments. Increased frequency and intensity of bushfires destroy the delicate moisture balance required for sphagnum moss survival, while rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns further compromise these fragile ecosystems. The species' extremely limited distribution across only a few high-altitude sites in southeastern Australia makes entire populations vulnerable to single catastrophic events.
Where does Sphagnum Frog live?
Sphagnum Frog occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sphagnum Frog?
The main threats to Sphagnum Frog are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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