Kyoto is famous for its carefully maintained temple and shrine gardens, but their ponds and streams may be doing much more than creating beautiful scenery.

A new study has found that these small urban water bodies provide important habitats for local amphibians.

Researchers identified seven frog species and one newt species living in gardens across the city, showing how cultural landscapes can also support biodiversity.

Urban Gardens Become Refuges

Urban development continues to reduce natural habitats available to amphibians. Frogs and newts are particularly dependent on water and moist environments, making them vulnerable when ponds, streams and wetlands disappear.

Kyoto, however, still contains numerous small managed water bodies in temple grounds, shrines, schools and other gardens.

Researchers wanted to understand whether these human-maintained landscapes could function as genuine wildlife habitats rather than simply decorative features.

Their results suggest that they can.

Searching 80 Water Bodies

The team surveyed 80 ponds and other water bodies at 31 temples, shrines and associated sites in Kyoto’s Higashiyama area.

Scientists searched directly for аdult amphibians, eggs and larvae. They also listened for frog calls, which can reveal species that are difficult to see.

Because direct observation alone can miss animals depending on the season or their behavior, researchers added another technique: environmental DNA analysis.

Water samples from 43 sites were examined for tiny traces of genetic material left behind by animals.

Combining the two approaches proved especially useful. One frog species, Rana tagoi, was detected only through environmental DNA, while direct observations of eggs and tadpoles were essential for confirming that other species were actually reproducing at the sites.

Different Species Need Different Conditions

Researchers also recorded details about each water body, including its type, water source, flow, distance from nearby forests, shoreline structure and whether carp were present.

The findings showed that amphibian species did not all respond to these environmental conditions in the same way.

This matters because simply having a pond does not automatically make a garden suitable for every frog or newt. Water management, surrounding vegetation and connections to nearby natural areas may all influence which species can survive there.

Overall, amphibians were found in considerably more water bodies than researchers had initially expected.

Culture and Biodiversity Can Coexist

The findings reveal an overlooked ecological role for Kyoto’s historic gardens.

Temple and shrine ponds are normally preserved as parts of cultural landscapes, yet they can simultaneously provide refuge for wildlife in an increasingly urban environment.

That could have practical consequences beyond historic sites. Similar principles may eventually influence how ponds in schools, public parks and other urban spaces are designed and maintained.

Researchers now hope to work more closely with garden owners and managers to develop approaches that protect both cultural heritage and local biodiversity.