# Conservation in the Andean Highlands of South America: A Habitat Enhancement Plan for Tematobius philippii, a Critically Endangered Species in the Ascotán Salt Flat in Chile

## TL;DR

A conservation project in Chile's Ascotán salt flat used artificial shelters to help a critically endangered frog species survive and breed successfully.

## Contribution

This study provides the first documented success of artificial refuges for conserving high Andean amphibians.

## Key findings

- Artificial refuges made from clay tiles were used by frogs at all life stages, including breeding.
- Refuge occupancy increased to 75% over two years, indicating successful adoption.
- The project offers a replicable conservation strategy for fragile ecosystems impacted by human activity.

## Abstract

In the Ascotán salt flat, located in the north of Chile, lives a unique endemic frog called Telmatobius philippii. Its survival is threatened by human activity, partly due to industrial water use, and a lack of shelters. To aid the conservation of this endangered species, we created and installed artificial refuges—shelters made from clay tiles—in one of the springs. Over two years of monitoring, we found that frogs of all ages, from tadpoles to adults, quickly began using these man-made homes. The number of frogs using the shelters increased over time, and even eggs were found, showing successful breeding. This successful habitat improvement project provides a practical and promising strategy for conserving fragile species in areas impacted by human activity, offering a valuable tool for future conservation efforts.

Amphibians face a global conservation crisis, driven largely by habitat degradation. Effective and practical strategies for habitat restoration are urgently needed, particularly for Critically Endangered species in human-impacted ecosystems. Telmatobius philippii is a species classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Its habitat is restricted to a few thermal springs in the Ascotán salt flat in Chile. A significant portion of one of these springs, V11, dried up in 2005 due to industrial groundwater withdrawals, leading to the loss of natural refuges and population decline. As part of a recovery plan for this spring we implemented a habitat improvement program by installing artificial refuges (clay tiles, bricks, and rock piles) and monitored their use over a two-year period. The results indicated that the refuges, particularly the clay tiles, were utilized by T. philippii at all life stages (larvae, juveniles, and adults). Refuge occupancy increased over time, reaching 75% by the end of the study, and the presence of eggs and early-stage larvae confirmed successful breeding associated with the artificial structures. This demonstrates the positive effect of artificial refuges as a practical tool for the recovery of Telmatobius populations. To our knowledge, this study provides the first documented case of successful habitat enhancement for this threatened group of high Andean amphibians, offering a replicable strategy for conservation in fragile ecosystems.