Curtin University research has found farmers making small changes to how they give water to cattle in semi-arid regions could halt the spread of one of Australia's most damaging invasive species - all without disrupting farming operations.
Published in Global Ecology and Conservation, the paper reveals straightforward, low-cost changes to cattle troughs and fencing could prevent invasive cane toads from accessing the water they need to survive during hot and dry conditions.
Researchers found cane toads were physically unable to jump over smooth barriers higher than about 50cm, meaning many existing cattle water points could be made "toad‑proof" through simple design choices or upgrades during routine maintenance.
Lead author Dr Judy Dunlop, from Curtin's School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said artificial water points were a key reason cane toads have been able to survive and spread through otherwise dry landscapes.
"Cane toads depend on access to water during the dry season; a single water point can support hundreds of toads through the dry season," Dr Dunlop said.
"Our research shows that it is quite simple to deny them access to those watering points, without affecting cattle.
The team investigated how well cane toads could jump or climb to reach water by running controlled experiments with fences and cattle troughs of different heights and materials.
They found more than 99 per cent could not clear barriers higher than 51cm and smooth, rounded concrete troughs were far harder for toads to access than plastic designs.
Any solid fencing materials such as sheer tin further reduced the chances of toads getting through.
"These animals just aren't the elite jumpers people sometimes assume, but they are totally reliant on accessing water in the dry season" Dr Dunlop said.
"Once barriers reach a certain height and are designed properly, the toads simply can't get past them and, without access to alternative water, they will dry out and perish in the landscape."
Dr Dunlop said changes did not require largescale or expensive farm redevelopment and only needed to be functioning in the dry months of the year when water is not available elsewhere.
"Toad‑proofing can be incorporated into the ongoing maintenance and upgrades that many properties already undertake," Dr Dunlop said.
"For example, replacing older troughs with slightly taller designs, fixing leaks and overflows, or switching from open dams to tank-fed troughs."
Dr Dunlop said many commercially available cattle troughs already met the recommended height and design requirements while remaining easily accessible for calves.
"This is a rare win-win: with smart design, we can support agriculture and protect native wildlife and biodiversity rich regions, while keeping farms productive at the same time," Dr Dunlop said.
"Keeping cane toads out of semi-arid watering points could protect ecosystem services that support pasture health.
"If you stop them breeding and surviving through the dry season, you prevent millions of offspring from spreading across the landscape."
Leap, frog: Toad-proof agricultural infrastructure for landscape-level management of cane toads was published in Global Ecology and Conservation.
