**4. Discussion**

#### **4.1 Status of Wetlands and Amphibian habitats**

Notably, the collection of amphibians in East Africa started as early as 1900s, by the colonial officers, explorers and Missionaries from Germany and Britain [7]. During these colonial time, German scientists and explorers created the first account of amphibians in the region [7]. Since then, the growth of molecular analyses using simplified biochemical techniques such as DNA sequencing and next generation sequencing (NGS) of DNA has facilitated the identification of more species and thus phylogenic studies has since flourished [22]. Global biodiversity hotspots are areas with high species richness and endemism but also faces a significant threats vis-à-vis the remaining area [13]. In terms of biodiversity hotspots, at global stage, there are 35 biodiversity hotspots, and we have two in Kenya [23]. One is the Eastern Afromontane hotspot which is represented by the Taita Hills including mountain and highland areas in central region (Aberdare Ranges, Mt. Kenya, and Nyambene Hills) and western parts (Kakamega Forest, Nandi Forests, Cherangani Hills, and Mau Hills). The second is the coastal forests of eastern Africa Kenya represented by the coastal forests of Kenya, namely Shimba Hills and Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.

While Eastern Africa biodiversity hotspot are famed for its high biodiversity and endemism [24, 25], there exists data deficient and strong taxonomic biases in the existing literature and thus there is need for details review of the knowledge gaps through research. The rich biodiversity in the region is attributed to variety of land forms which includes mountains, rift valley, and wetlands [26]. This has fostered the evolution of endemic species of amphibians associated with these habitats. At global stage, wetlands covers an area of about 6 percent of the earth surface and in Kenya it covers 3–4% of the land surface (14,000 km2 ) but often extend up to 6 percent during rainy season and 80% of these wetlands are found outside protected areas. Despite many ecological functions that these wetlands including providing habitats for many species of amphibians, they are regarded as wetlands and have been degraded through conversion to agricultural lands, settlements and industrial use. Moreover most wetlands in Kenya have suffered from pollution, catchment destruction and overexploitation. The continued degradation is attributed to lack of awareness and appreciation of the values of these wetlands as well as inconsistent policy implementation. The management of wetlands in Kenya have been influenced by many players that include government agencies such as fisheries, rural development, environment, public works and Agriculture as well as private developers, local fishermen and farmers alongside local and international development organizations. Although wetlands are among the most biologically productive ecosystems globally, local communities often regard it as a wasteland, nuisance, habitat for pests and diseases vectors such as bilharzia, flukes, mosquitoes, ticks, etc. As a consequence, wetlands have been threatened by anthropogenic activities and the cover percent of wetlands areas have declined by about 40 percent and so does the flow rate (discharge) of major rivers by about 30 percent [26] and lakes experienced dramatic fluctuations in water levels with cases of drying out especially in Rift valley lakes.
