Australian Frog Atlas: species’ distribution maps informed by the FrogID dataset

Abstract

We use data from the citizen science project FrogID, comprised of expert-validated, spatially accurate occurrence records of frog species across Australia, to map the known distributions of Australia’s frogs. We combined over half a million occurrence records of 209 species from the FrogID dataset with expert-checked occurrence data from the national biodiversity data aggregate (Atlas of Living Australia) and published literature, to create distribution maps for all 247 native frog species known from Australia and the introduced cane toad (Rhinella marina). These maps represent the most up-to-date, accurate and detailed set of Australian frog species maps available, and reveal species richness patterns across the continent. They are an Open Access resource for researchers, conservation practitioners and land managers, with the aim of better understanding and conserving Australia’s frogs. This is version one of the Australian Frog Atlas, which we expect to update on an approximately annual basis. The Australian Frog Atlas maps—as shapefiles and in KML format—are published online as an Open Access supplemental dataset (see Cutajar et al., 2021).