Meirelles, Bruna2026-02-162026-02-162026http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/117103Tese de Mestrado, Biologia da Conservação, 2026, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiênciasAmphibians are recognised worldwide as key bioindicators due to their ecological roles, biphasic life cycles, and high sensitivity to environmental change. However, despite their importance, amphibian populations are experiencing unprecedented declines driven by habitat loss, pollution, climate change and emerging diseases. In Portugal, many species are under pressure, yet systematic studies remain scarce in several protected areas. This study assessed the spatial structure, dynamics and environmental drivers of the amphibian community in the Paisagem Protegida Regional do Litoral de Vila do Conde e Reserva Ornitológica de Mindelo (PPRLVC-ROM), Portugal's first officially protected area. Field surveys were conducted over the course of one year, combining visual encounter transect searches, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) surveys, and GIS analysis to construct habitat maps. Climatic data were used to explore associations between environmental variables and amphibian activity. A total of ten species were recorded, confirming the Reserve as having one of the richest amphibian assemblages in Portugal. Community composition displayed seasonal variation, with activity concentrated near temporary ponds and humid depressions. Statistical analyses revealed that water availability, habitat type, and proximity to aquatic environments were key predictors of species distribution. Climatic variables, particularly temperature and rainfall, were found to significantly influence amphibian activity patterns. Comparisons with historical records indicated relative stability in overall richness but also suggested shifts in abundance and distribution linked to urban expansion, agroforestry practices, and habitat degradation. These findings highlight the ecological importance of small wetlands and habitat heterogeneity in sustaining amphibian populations in Portuguese coastal landscapes. Conserving the PPRLVC-ROM requires maintaining water quantity and quality, ensuring connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic habitats, and mitigating anthropogenic pressures. This study provides an updated ecological baseline for the PPRLVC-ROM and contributes to the broader understanding of amphibian conservation in Portuguese coastal ecosystems.application/pdfengDistributionTemporary pondsHabitat typeClimatic variablesmaster thesis