In DATR, the following protocol is proposed with the clear objective of monitoring the amphibian diversity. This would provide insights on amphibian diversity and their distribution in DATR, the variation in their diversity with reference to various land-uses and influence of protection (abandoned mining areas, agriculture and plantations). Finally at broader scale, both spatially as well as temporally, this protocol would enable us to understand the influence of global climate change, habitat alteration, habitat modification and/or habitat fragmentation on amphibians, which in turn help in conservation and management of DATR.

Amphibian Research Protocol

• Amphibians are seasonal, many of them breed mainly during monsoon, and hence monitoring must be done at least twice during monsoon (June-September).
• To understand the diversity of the region, apart from monsoon, monitoring can be done once during March and December. This is to account for non-monsoon breeding amphibians like Hylarana temporalis. 
• Amphibians survey must be carried out between 7pm (19:00hr) to 9pm (21:00hr) of a given days majority of the amphibians are nocturnal. Model data sheet is provided next.
• There are 13 proposed permanent plots for amphibian sampling (with clear demarcation based on land-use). Table 1 details the list of proposed permanent plots with altitude and land-use type. In each of these land-uses, for amphibian monitoring, first locate a first/second order stream or a water body. This provides the breeding ground for amphibians and hence enhances inclusion of breeding population in the survey (majority of the amphibians require water source to lay eggs).
• Two persons, with proper protective gears like wader shoes, head lamps and gloves (also well equipped to tackle other nocturnal animals of the forest. Snakes are the natural predators of amphibians; at most care should be taken during amphibian sampling, not to trample snakes and also not to get bitten by them. First aid kit with anti-venom injections are must in this monitoring) will start sampling along, across and on the adjacent areas for two man hours (each person will spend one hour in sampling).
• A well zipped cotton net bag (15cmx15cm) will be carried by each person. During the sampling, each person would locate an amphibian by sight, call or movement. Person should be able to follow these clues and find the specimen. They must also check for crevices on trees, rocks, prod small shrubs, dead wood logs and/or almost all microhabitats. Once a specimen is found, it can be caught and put in the zipped cotton bag. This is to avoid the redundancy in the sampling. Once the stipulated two man hour search is over, specimens in the cotton bags are brought to the edge of the sampling area and details of each individual must be recorded as prescribed in the data sheet. Datasheets must be entered with utmost care and must be done very meticulously. It would be better, not to mention species name if it appears too confusing, instead it can be identified up to genus and a detailed description of the individual can be provided on the back of the data sheet (with a sketch/photograph of the individual). Common genera occurring in the region are provided below. 
• If the species appears to be new or if it is first record for the DATR, a few individuals must be preserved in 70% alcohol and must be vouchered either in the Forest Department or in reputed museum along with collector’s name, date and locality. This preservation is specifically mentioned so as to look at available specimen from DATR for any further research work (be it molecular phylogeny or morphological comparison) and also to curtail repeated killing of amphibians.
• Generally sex can be determined on seeing vocalizing individuals. Since female lack vocal sacs, if one finds a calling individual then it must be a male. One can also check for the black coloured vocal sac.
• Other issues in monitoring protocol includes recording the road kills of amphibians along the major and minor roads within DATR.
• Capacity building includes school kids from in and around DATR as well as forest guards.