Healthy Waterways, Thriving Frogs: Why Biodiversity Matters in Bindjareb Boodja

Bindjareb Boodja is home to some of Western Australia’s most unique and diverse waterways — from winding creeks and wetlands to the iconic Bindjareb Djilba (Peel-Harvey) Estuary itself. These systems are not only vital for our local environment and agriculture but are living ecosystems that sustain an incredible array of native wildlife. Among the most sensitive — and important —are our local frog species.

Healthy, biodiverse waterways play a crucial role in supporting frogs such as the Motorbike Frog (Litoria moorei), Quacking Frog (Crinia georgiana), and the Slender Tree Frog (Litoria adelaidensis), all of which are found throughout the South West. Frogs depend on clean water, dense riparian vegetation, and natural flow patterns for breeding and feeding. When waterways are healthy, frogs thrive — and when frog numbers decline, it’s often a sign that the ecosystem itself is under stress.

Frogs are often referred to as the “canaries of the wetlands” because their health reflects the condition of the environment around them. They breathe and absorb water through their skin, making them extremely sensitive to pollutants, temperature changes, and habitat loss. When waterways become polluted or degraded, frogs are usually the first species to decline. Their presence — or absence — tells us a great deal about water quality, vegetation health, and the overall balance of an ecosystem.

At this time of year, as the weather warms and wetlands begin to fill after winter rains, Bindjareb Boodja comes alive with the sound of frogs calling for mates. Spring is breeding season for many frog species, and male frogs gather around pools, creeks, and wetlands to create their distinctive evening chorus — a sign of healthy, functioning waterways. Tadpoles develop in shallow, clean water protected by native vegetation, which provides shade and shelter from predators. These seasonal rhythms remind us just how closely frogs depend on the natural flow of water and the health of the ecosystems around them.

Across Bindjareb Boodja, years of land clearing, nutrient runoff, and erosion have placed pressure on our creeks and wetlands. Yet through collaborative conservation projects, such as stream restoration and riparian revegetation, local landholders and community groups are helping to turn the tide. By fencing waterways to prevent stock access, planting native vegetation along waterways, and controlling weeds, they are rebuilding critical habitat and improving water quality.

These efforts have flow-on benefits far beyond frog populations. Native vegetation helps stabilise banks, shade water to reduce algal growth, and filter nutrients before they flow into the waterways and reach the estuary. A biodiverse waterway is more resilient to drought, flooding, and the impacts of climate change — ensuring that native species, from invertebrates to birds and fish, continue to flourish.

Every croak and chirp heard at dusk is a reminder that our local waterways are alive and thriving. Protecting and restoring them not only safeguards the frogs of Bindjareb Boodja, but also the health and heritage of our region for generations to come.

To learn more about local stream restoration, landholder funding opportunities, and ways to protect our waterways, visit PHCC’s website  here

Or for more information, contact Bec Mackenzie, Rebecca.mackenzie@peel-harvey.org.au

This project is part of the Bindjareb Djilba (Peel-Harvey estuary) Protection Plan and Healthy Estuaries WA, State Government initiatives to improve the water quality of the estuary.